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seriouslyhooked · 3 years

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Feels Like This (Part 13)

Emma Swan is a once lost girl who is now making good. She has made a way in the world for her and her young son, Henry, and after years of hard work, Emma is in her last stretch of schooling for the career she’s always wanted. Unexpectedly, she finds herself in a tiny nation no one’s ever heard of for her last year of study. She knows nothing about the place except that it’s beautiful, has a world-renowned child life program, and is filled with possibility. Meanwhile, Prince Killian is hardly happy with the title he received at birth. As the second in line for the crown, Killian has long tried shaking his royal duties. He built a career in the royal navy, and has stayed out of the limelight, but his ship has been called to port indefinitely at the request of his brother, the King. Fate (in her many forms) brings Emma and Killian together and the resulting fic is a cute, fluffy, trope filled romp featuring heart felt moments, a healthy dose of insta-love and an assured happily ever after. Story rated M and will have 12 parts. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12. Available on FF Here and AO3 Here.

A/N: Hey everyone! I am so excited to be back with this story after the month I spent away, and I find it so wild that in that past month so much happened with royals in the actual world. I wouldn’t say it inspired this chapter at all, but it was cathartic to write a story where the Prince and Princess get a much healthier, more healing reception. I know how many of you love this fic, and it definitely has a special place in my heart as well. It’s been so important to me that I do the ending of this story justice, and so it took a bit of time to get my thoughts organized. This is one of the final chapters, and I only anticipate one more actual story installment and then maybe, someday far off in the future, an epilogue or two. That being said, this is a long-awaited milestone for CS and I have attempted to infuse all of my usual cuteness and romance. I hope that you all enjoy, I would love to hear what you think, and thank you all so much for reading!

Gazing out upon the overlook as the sun rose over the tree line in the Montenarran morning, Killian was comforted once more by the vastness of the world and the beauty that danced before him. The light shone with a color and vibrancy he’d come to know and love, but this morning the air hummed with languid layers of anticipation. Maybe it was Killian’s excitement and nerves, but he didn’t think so. No, if anything the world seemed to shimmer today, a sign from above that the timing was right and that he was ready to take this next big step.

The next time I visit this place, I’ll have Emma by my side, he thought to himself, soaking in the comfort of such a plan.

This was on his list of places to share with his Swan, but he reasoned that he had all the time in the world for such gifts. Today, though, he was planning to make that assumption a reality. For finally, after nearly three days of being parted from his love, he was planning to propose, in a way befitting a woman of Emma’s caliber.

Instinctively, Killian’s hand moved to his pocket, drawing out a small black box which held a ring inside. The ring was beautiful and ornate, an overt and ostentatious display of love, but one with inherent meaning. This was the ring his grandfather had given his Gran, a ring forged for the purpose of real and lasting love. It was not exchanged at their wedding, but instead in a private ceremony the two of them shared some weeks later. Their wedding had been arranged, but still they’d found real love. This ring was a gift, however, given at the turning point where Killian’s grandfather knew that his love for his new Queen was more than mere arrangement – it was true and totally transformative.

“Your brother, as reigning monarch, has full claim to your grandfather and my wedding bands, and he will make good use of them with his Elsa, I am utterly assured,” Gran had claimed some weeks back when she stole Killian for a private moment. On that night, she was serious and sincere, most of her deeply playful nature tucked aside for a brief window of time. She glanced at her the matrimonial ring she still wore, years after the death of her dearly departed husband before looking back to Killian with conviction and calm. “The love between them grows each day, and is befitting of what me and your grandfather shared. But this ring I’m giving you, Killy… this ring is something else altogether. This is magic made metal. This is perfectly genuine affection forged into precious gems.”

“It is gorgeous, Gran,” Killian agreed when she presented the ring to him. “But I can’t take something like this from you. Not when it means so much.”

“That’s why you must have it, Killy. If your Grandfather were here, he would say the same. This ring bound us in life, but now we are bound through so much more.”

For the first time in years, likely since the death of his grandfather himself, Killian watched as tears trickled down his Gran’s face. It instantly pierced his heart, for this was a woman who always showed strength. Even when he was on deployment and gone for years on end, his Gran persevered. She may grow misty eyed or get choked up, but tears were a whole different story. Only the memory of her husband could prompt them, and Killian thought to himself not for the first time that she had been so strong for so long, going on without him.

“Our love is forever, living, thriving, singing its song for now and for always. I miss him, every day, every moment, I wish that he was here, but someday we will have each other again. And in the meantime, this ring deserves another union. It was made to be passed through generations. I will confess that I wondered if anyone should ever be worthy of it, if love like ours would find its way here again. But I needn’t have doubted. You and Emma are made for each other, and it would be my honor for Emma to wear this.”

Killian agreed whole heartedly with his Grandmother’s explanation, and he knew no more beautiful stone could be found the world over. This ring bore a remarkable yellow diamond, encircled with smaller stones of the same rare hue. The exact shade sparkled in the sunlight, but almost seemed dipped in the golden glow of a summer’s afternoon. It was pristine and poetic, warm and well beyond the pale, reminding Killian of the highlights in Emma’s hair and the lilt of her laughter. Her joy was precious, more precious than any stone, but as he gazed upon the rock, it felt quintessentially designed for his Swan. It was happy and bright, bold and beautiful, and he knew, despite its flair and size, that Emma would love it.

The only thing left to do is ask her.

The thought breathed new life into Killian, even more so than the Montenarran morning, and he walked back through the forest paths towards the palace once more, energized and ready for the day ahead. He had everything planned and had been working on this for some time. There were many moving pieces, but he’d squared them all away. In the end he would see to it that this was perfect, for that was exactly what his Swan deserved.

Arriving at the palace just after the sunrise, Killian moved with purpose and precision. He had only a little bit of time, and much to accomplish.

“The last of the parcels have been delivered, Your Grace,” one attendant announced as Killian walked through the palace doors. “The bulk of them are here, as you see, though some are in the green house for obvious reasons.”

“Excellent, Jacque. Thank you.”

“I beg your pardon, Sir, it’s just… are you certain you don’t need help arranging things? It’s a significant amount of work here. The staff is happy to assist.”

“I appreciate that offer, Jacque, but I’ve got things well in hand. I’ve been planning this for some time.”

A thoughtful smile appeared at the older man’s face, one that broke the traditional polite protocol and spoke to how long he had known Killian and the royal family. “Of course, Sir. Well, in that case, best of luck.”

Killian took the well wishes to heart, knowing he had a massive task before him. Perhaps he could have given himself more time to bring all of these pieces together, but to him, it already felt like too much time had been wasted. He was more than ready for this next step with Emma, and after three days spent apart, not seeing each other in person, or sharing much more than a few texts and facetimes, he was particularly desirous to see this through. He had been strategizing on how to get this right for quite a while, and by now he knew each assignment down to the letter.

“I assume that your dismissal of Jacques offer goes for us as well?”

Killian glanced up, finding his mother on the stairwell. From here she was stately and elegant, a poised dowager Queen with refinement and grace, but as she descended, she became more herself, and by the time she was in front of Killian, taking his hand in hers, she was no more and no less than a wonderful mother. His greatest support for many years, and someone who he knew would give anything she could to make this moment special.

“It does, at least for this. But with the children arriving in a few hours’ time -,”

“Not to worry on that front,” his mother said cheerily, her own happiness at the thought of all the Institute’s residents coming to the palace for a special premiere outing. “Your Grandmother and I have all in hand, and Liam and Elsa are set to help us. It’ll be a day to remember.”

“Good,” Killian said, looking around and finding his Gran already in full form, instructing the staff as to the desires she had for the outdoor space. Through the glass of the palace’s wall of windows, her words were muddled, but the humor was clear as day. This woman, frail and aged from outward appearance, was a firecracker, ruling over the days designs with an iron fist. “Surprising that Liam is giving Gran such a wide berth.”

“Well how could he not? He’s yet to come down for the day. Hard to give orders from a distance.”

Killian let out a whistle, and laughed as his mother swatted his arm and ‘tutted’ his boyish actions. Knowing when enough was enough, he left unsaid the clear reason that his brother would choose to stay abed so late in the morning. Killian would stake his life on the fact that a certain guest was here within the palace, and that she likely made a visit of the overnight variety.

“What are the chances that Gran doesn’t know?” Killian asked and his mother shook her head.

“Zero.”

“And the likelihood that she will say something?”

“That’s still to be determined.” Killian was shocked at his mother’s genuine opinion. He, for one, thought it undoubtable that Gran would make mention of this moment, gleefully commenting on the need for royal heirs or some such outlandish claim. “Eleanor is direct and prone to speaking her mind, but she is also strategic. If the calculated risk of such a comment is too high, she will deny herself. She would never do anything to jeopardize your brother’s prospects.”

“You really think a smart comment from an old woman is enough to keep them apart?” Killian asked, thinking back on the few weeks that Liam and Elsa had shared since finding each other again. They had been as close to inseparable as the schedule of a King would allow. It was clear that they were both entirely invested, so much so that a royal announcement would be made in the coming days announcing their relationship.

“Not for a second.”

“So, if you know that, and I know that… surely Gran must know that.”

At that exact moment a maid was walking back into the house, opening the glass doors. From the outside they could hear his grandmother calling out to Liam and to Elsa, who had been discovered somewhere in the backyard. They no doubt were trying to be more discrete, but Gran seemed to have no interest in allowing them that privacy.

“Oh Lord, it’s time,” Meera said with a mix of worry and also amusement. Her eyes were alight with the humor of the moment, but also the very real awkwardness that may soon transpire. “I best get out there and spare them from what I can.”

Killian nodded, but wasn’t ready for the impact of his mother’s arms around him squeezing tight. It was not in any way part of the royal protocol, but his family never paid much mind to that. Still, this was a big hug, one that was obviously filled with tremendous meaning.

“I’m so proud of you, my darling. You’ll give her everything she deserves, and the two of you will be happy. So wonderfully, beautifully happy.”

“Thanks, Mum. Love you,” he whispered, accepting her soft kiss on his cheek and her shared words of love in kind before she dashed off to help his elder brother. A Queen should never move so quickly, but then again, Gran could do quite a bit of damage in the seconds it would take to get from here to there. For his part, Killian only chuckled to himself before heading to the side of the palace towards the gardens for the day.

The next few hours were defined by attention to detail and purposeful precision. Before meeting Emma, Killian could safely say he never imagined the lengths and planning required for a proper proposal. The idea was so intangible, so unnecessary in his estimations, that he never dwelled on even the possibility. It seemed unlikely that his heart would ever be touched in that way. He assumed he’d go through life a bachelor, or worse yet, that he’d cave to eventual pressure and say yes to something arranged and designed without feeling or passion. Luckily for him he had escaped such a fate, and instead had been steered through the grace of all things good towards a woman who was far and away the most remarkable he’d ever met.

Emma was rare and extraordinary. He had known it from their first meeting, and he continued to hold onto this truth every day they were together. There was never a moment when he didn’t realize his good fortune, or when he took her presence in his life for granted. Emma had revived him. She anchored him into the goodness of the world, and she showed him what could be. She expanded his horizons, even brought with her a son, another key part of a growing family, and by her side, Killian felt like he was capable of anything.

He only hoped that the elements he’d gathered today would translate as he imagined they could. This was a memory in the making that could only be shared once. Killian wanted to be sure that it was what Emma wanted and deserved. Luckily, he’d had help and more than a little bit of intel, mostly provided by Henry and from a few other insiders who knew Emma best of all.

“Are all systems a go, Captain?”

As if he’d conjured Henry with the grateful thought of all the boy had done for him, he turned now to find Emma’s son in the garden. Killian watched as the lad took in their surroundings, his eyes growing wide, and his whispered ‘this is so cool’ a welcome sign that Killian’s efforts had not been for nothing. He stood from where he’d been bent down, tidying up the last of his efforts, and when he gazed upon it himself, he had to say he was happy with the outcome.

“Aye, Lieutenant. All the necessary components are accounted for.”

“Good. She’s going to lose it. In a good way though,” Henry said with a smile which burned bright.

“Is everyone arrived then?” Killian asked and Henry shook his head.

“Soon, but not just yet. Anna and I have been here for a while now. Gran needed help with the game set up, but I asked if I could see you first.”

The look of wonder and happiness that had clung to Henry since arriving colored to something a bit more pensive. The shift gave Killian some pause for the first time all day. “Everything all right, lad?”

“Everything’s great, I just – well I was wondering – I mean if Mom says yes – or rather when she says yes, because she’ll totally say yes, it’s just that, well I – I was wondering…”

“No need to be worried, Henry,” Killian said, placing a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “Whatever you have to ask me, I’m here to help. You have my word I will make it right.”

“I know. And you’ll love Mom forever, right?”

“Aye, lad. Forever and then some.”

“And you love me too,” Killian’s heart clenched as he automatically nodded.

“Yes, Henry. I love you both, undoubtedly.”

“And we’re going to be a family.”

Killian didn’t know what to say. Down to his bones he knew that they would be. He was confident in this union between him and Emma. They had made promises already, declarations of love. He would give anything to be her husband, and he knew that someday he would be, but to say it aloud to her son when Emma herself hadn’t had a chance to even be asked was something else entirely. In the end, he decided to just go with his gut.

“In my heart, we already are.” Henry beamed up at him, the worry of the moment melting away. Still, Killian never imagined what he’d say next.

“Well then I was hoping that maybe, when you and Mom are married, maybe I could call you Dad?”

Killian was overwhelmed with the request. It was something he had wished for, but didn’t want to press. He knew Henry had no memories of his biological father, but he never wanted to assume. It was a massive move for a young man to ask such a question, but Killian’s answer to the query was instant and heartfelt.

“I would be honored, lad.”

“Cool,” Henry said happily, brimming with the excitement he’d had since Killian first told him about his plan to propose to Emma.

Henry moved forward, hugging Killian with the affection of an earnest hearted ten-year-old, and Killian savored it, knowing he would always see Henry as his son. He may not be his blood, but he lay claim to a large piece of Killian’s heart. He silently swore to always do right by Henry. To protect him and to teach him what he could. But mostly he would support him, and show love to Henry and his mother all the days of his life. Before Killian could speak to more of that, the sound of busses pulling up, and happy children streaming onto palace grounds wafted through the air. The time had come. This was the moment.

“You know the plan, son?” Killian asked, the word slipping off his tongue so easily, and bringing real joy to Henry’s eyes.

“Aye, aye, Captain. I’ll have Mom to you in five minutes. You can time me.”

Killian might have laughed at the fervor and excitement Henry shared, but unfortunately, five minutes waiting in a moment like this felt like a lifetime away. The only thing that got him through were the last-minute adjustments, and the journey that was needed from where he was, to where they’d start their memorable afternoon. Finally, the moment came where Killian was waiting at the start of the hedgerow, even further from the festivities and he could hear the woman he loved, unaware of his being here.

“Henry, seriously, what’s going on? The party’s only just starting. We have time for a tour later. We can go with the others.”

“Trust me Mom, this can’t wait.”

“What is it Henwy?” a tiny voice Killian would know anywhere asked. Cecelia was with them, another sign from above that his plans were moving the way he wanted.

“Something magical,” Henry said and Killian could hear the sharp trill of an excited little girl.

“Like fairies?”

“Just wait, you’ll see.”

“Something magical, huh?” Emma parroted, but at that moment they all stepped into view.

Three days may be but a blip in time to some, but to Killian it had felt like an eternity. The peace he now experienced at seeing his Swan again was profound, and somehow she was even more stunning than when he’d left her. The day’s light shone in her hair and in her smile. She was gorgeous and relaxed, dressed in a delicate pink sun dress designed to tease and torment. Her radiance outshone every flower in this garden, and in the moments before she saw him, he soaked in the sight of her. God she was beautiful, too beautiful to properly behold. His heart skipped and his muscles tightened, and then her eyes landed on him and he was whole. The world was righted once more, and all because Emma saw him and felt the same pull he felt emanating from his chest. The surprise in her eyes was evident, followed immediately by relief, and joy, and love, and all of it was too sweet a call to resist. He moved towards her and the children, sending up one last prayer in this critical moment.

Please let her be mine. I swear I’ll deserve her. Whatever it takes. For I am hers, body and soul, and I always will be.

………………

God he’s gorgeous, Emma thought instinctively upon finding Killian at the far end of the garden hedge. That thought was followed closely by, Wait, what is he doing here?

“Killy!” Cecelia cried out happily, letting go of Emma and Henry’s hands and sprinting towards him. Emma watched as Killian crouched down, accepting the hug from the little girl who effortlessly stole their hearts. He closed his eyes momentarily, soaking in the moment, and then he pulled back and pushed some of her wayward curls from Cecelia’s eyes, smiling at her with genuine affection.

“Good morning, little love. How are you finding the palace?” Emma’s heart clenched in her chest in the best way. He was just so sweet with her. He always had been.

“It’s so so good,” Cecelia replied, bringing a laugh out of all of them.

At the little girl’s enthusiastic endorsement, Killian thanked Cecelia and then stood once more, looking at Emma with those captivating blue eyes and that charming smile that always took her breath away. She was still trying to fathom his presence here. They had spent the last few days apart, days she found so much more difficult to manage than she expected, but he wasn’t set to return for a few more days. Liam had sent him on state business. She didn’t press for details, assuming it was confidential, but now, she was curious as to this wonderful turn of events. Before she could ask though, he walked over to her, taking her into his arms and kissing her surely. She leaned into this embrace, loathed to let him go, but he seemed to remember they were in the presence of little eyes. It was a fleeting kiss, but still invigorating all the same.

“I don’t understand. You’re supposed to be away the rest of the week.”

“I hope you’ll forgive my brother for that white lie,” Killian said, his hand coming up to scratch at his ear in that subtle show of bashfulness she’d witnessed a time or two. “If you’ll recall I never actually confirmed an itinerary, having sworn never to lie to you again.”

“So, you weren’t on a… huh, let’s see, how did Liam put it? A ‘mission for the future of the nation’ then?”

“Not exactly. But then again, in some ways, that’s exactly where I was. Do you trust me, love?”

Emma nodded, and watched as his smile grew warmer. She knew that it meant to him to have her trust, but in her eyes, he had earned it ten times over. Killian was a good man – the best man she knew – and he made her feel safe. Of course she trusted him. She had never trusted anyone this much before.

“In that case, I’ve some things to show you. Henry, you’ll be sure to hold down the fort in the meantime?”

Emma looked over to her son, and only now realized that this was all planned somehow. Her boy looked pleased as punch, and even sent a salute Killian’s way. “Yes sir. And Cecelia will help, wont’ you Ceci?” The little girl nodded, joyously, thrilled at the prospect of helping. “We’ll see you both soon.”

Killian nodded, leading Emma in the direction of the garden. The further they moved into the hedgerow, the quieter it became, until the only songs around them were those of birds and breeze. Emma was amazed at all of this, but she was also still wrapped up in his return. It felt so good to be back with her hand in his, the glow of his presence enveloping her. She’d never missed someone like she had the past few days, never ached this way to be reunited with someone. It was a testament to all she felt for him and how much she’d come to love him. Quietly she stopped walking, pulling Killian’s attention. With a quick glance behind them, she saw no one had followed. They were totally alone and so she made her move. Pulling him down for another kiss, she said a proper hello, and shivered in delight at his reaction.

His hands were on her, seemingly everywhere, holding her close as they tasted each other. She felt his soft dark hair between her fingers, where she ran them through by the nape of his neck. She arched in closer, feeling the friction of their bodies together, and sighing in pleasure when they pulled apart. It couldn’t go further than that, but Emma felt more secure having shown him even in a small way how happy she was to see him.

“Hell of a welcome home, love,” he growled out, words low and throaty from his own swirling emotion. “If leaving wasn’t torture in itself, I’d consider more trips just for this.”

“No need to leave for these,” she whispered to him, leaning in for another kiss but then nipping him gently instead and stepping back out of his grasp. She smiled at his evident frustration, and laughed when he groaned in defeat. He knew he was had, but from the way he pulled her back into his arms, running his hand along the small of her back and looking at her adoringly, he didn’t seem to mind.

“You are a marvel, love. Have I mentioned that yet?”

“Maybe once or twice,” she teased, looking back to where they’d been walking and giving him silent permission to lead to their destination once more. “It’s beautiful out here.”

Beautiful was an understatement. In truth, Emma had never seen such intricate floral designs or such an array of colors and flower species. She had to imagine it was more than a palace garden. This had to be one of the most beautiful botanical spaces in all of Europe.

“Much of that is my mother’s doing. Her passion project, so to speak. She brought us out here when we were boys. Showed us bits and bobs. But this has always been hallowed grounds. Special, and perhaps, as Henry hinted, a little magical as well.”

Emma was poised to reply, but at that moment they turned a corner and things changed. They were still in a garden, but this time – oh lord it was difficult to describe. Magnificent was the first word that came to mind, and ethereal came soon after. For where there were blossoms and buds before, now there even more, hanging from pergolas above and winding through ivy vines on every hedge. Some were clearly naturally placed, but Emma noticed pieces woven into this area that she’d seen before, half a world away.

“Windchimes,” she murmured, looking at the gorgeous displays that reminded her of home.

There was a storefront, totally discrete from the street view and far off of the beaten path, deep in the heart of Chinatown, that she and Henry had found when he was younger. It was filled with artisan chimes and motifs and mobiles made from natural items and glass and more. The owners were amazing and known in crafting circles around the globe. The first day Emma and Henry visited taking refuge from a sudden winter chill, the couple who owned the store had taken the time to walk her son through their work. They’d then spent hours in the studio, and though Emma had very little by way of money for a purchase, they’d showed her and Henry nothing but the utmost kindness. She’d always found the pieces beautiful, comprised of shells and flecks of crystal or silver and gold, swirled into constellations that evoked a night sky or sense of wonder.

Over the years she and Henry returned to the studio many times, and even bought a few pieces when she could save enough to treat herself to something precious. There was so much beauty crafted in each piece. Emma always found herself wanting more, and she loved their trips back over and over again. The style of this artwork was one of a kind. Emma had never seen other pieces like these, but here, in this patch of the garden, there had to be a hundred intricate, delicate, interrelated art pieces dancing in the wind.

“How is this possible?”

“Henry may have mentioned something. Do you like it?”

“It’s gorgeous. God, the time it must have taken to put this all together…”

“Was time well spent, believe me, love.” Emma looked to him and she could have sworn from the look in his eyes and the tone of his voice that he was the one who had done this. But that was crazy. How could he have possibly had time for all this?

“But how did it all even get here?”

“I brought it.”

“You brought it?” Emma asked, stunned, her fingertips grazing the smoothed lines of one art piece dripping in sea glass. “You were in New York.”

“Aye.”

“But why?”

“Patience, love. There’s more to see.”

Emma had no idea how there could possibly be more, but she tucked her arm through Killian’s and walked with him to the next section of gardens. Here there was a sudden burst of purples and whites, and a scent she’d been missing without even realizing it. Lilacs, but none of them in season. Oh God, look at all of them.

“Killian,” she whispered, looking at what must have been thousands of bouquets of her favorite flower. It was unbelievable, but it was real, and she moved forward, seeing them all set up and displayed prominently in the midst of a garden with white roses. It was gorgeous and surreal. And now she was utterly dazed and more than a little confused.

“You and Henry are well known at the Brooklyn gardens love, as I’m sure you are well aware. I had it on good authority from a woman named Ella that lilacs are your particular favorite.”

“These can’t all be from there,” Emma said and Killian shook his head.

“No, these are admittedly sourced from a few specialty purveyors across the continent. But this,” he pulled out a polaroid of a small lilac tree that was recently planted. Looking at the surroundings, Emma realized that was outside Killian’s home here in Montenarro. “This is directly from the gardens. The same family and strain, all the way from New York.”

Emma was too shocked to speak, and felt the tears welling in her eyes. He had done so much for her, and she knew it was for one reason. He wanted to bring part of her home, part of a place that meant so much to Henry and her, here to his home. It was so thoughtful she felt tongue tied. What could she say? This was all so much.

Unbelievably there was even more, and over the next few minutes he took her through three more break away gardens, each filled with other staples of her one-time home. Food and culture and memories and more. This man had managed to find all of the best parts of her time in New York and he had brought them here. Some of them were things completely out of the realm of possibility.

“I can’t believe you found this,” Emma said, holding onto a years-old piece of construction paper that had been forgotten to time.

This picture was one of so many projects that her son had made in life, but Emma cherished the memories that went with it. Another example of the city’s serendipity, this painting chronicled a day of adventure for Emma and Henry. They’d wandered all through the city, and ended up in Queens for a special summer program for kids. She was always looking for magic moments for Henry, especially ones designed for a budgeting single Mom, and this one had delivered. There were story times and games, crafts and activities, and Henry had been thrilled. He made this picture of the two of them, and though it looked nothing like Emma, it had captured her heart. It also caught the eye of the librarians working that day and they’d selected it to put on the wall in the Children’s wing. Henry was oh so proud, his four-year-old heart filled with joy at getting to hang his art somewhere aside from their refrigerator door. It meant something to Emma, another example of her doing her best by her boy, and giving him all that she’d never had.

“There was a picture of you and Henry and this particular masterpiece in the Saturday Times.”

“Okay now how could you possibly know that?”

“Your neighbor, Mrs. Hubbard. She was very forthcoming, and she’d saved the article. Has it framed and everything.”

“You spoke to Mrs. H?” Emma asked completely bewildered, and Killian nodded. “And the library had it all this time?”

“Aye. In the archives. Nothing a few strategically planned favors couldn’t procure.”

“I don’t deserve this,” Emma said, letting the tears finally fall. This was all too much, but she was immediately comforted by the feel of Killian’s strong arms. His hand came to cup her cheek, his thumb wiping some of the tears as he shook his head, his eyes full of earnest feeling and emotion.

“That’s where you’re wrong, love. You deserve every good thing the world over. I know it’s presumptuous for a man like me to ask for such a treasure, but I swear to you I’ll spend my life giving everything I can.”

“I already have everything. I have you, and Henry,” Emma said. “This is beautiful, but it’s nothing to you.”

Killian hummed out a sigh of contentment, but where Emma expected a kiss, she watched instead as he pulled back, reaching for something in his pocket. “I was hoping you’d feel this way. Makes this next part a bit less nerve wracking.”

In a smooth gesture, he pulled out a small black box and lowered to the ground. Watching Killian drop down to one knee here in the gardens, Emma felt totally adrift from all cares of the world. She was stunned and yet deeply aware that this had all been a long time coming. There was no doubt in her heart that she loved Killian, and she held no fear over taking this next step. This man had shown her for months that he genuinely cared for her and her son. He would move mountains for them, if only for a possibility of their happiness. He was selfless and loyal and true, and he made her brave, emboldening her to believe that the risk was worth it. Love was worth it. Still, it was shocking, to be adored so deeply, and to know that someone truly felt the world began and ended with her.

“Emma, I realize that this is perhaps soon by some standards, but believe me when I say that I have been aching to ask you this question since the moment we met.”

More tears formed in her eyes, thinking back on that day. Her world had truly shifted in the span of one morning. There was a time before Killian, before romantic love that ever made her hopeful, and then there was more. It all started at the center, but it built well beyond those four walls. Knowing what she did now, she had to call their encounter what it had been – love at first sight. Maybe she hadn’t admitted it then, and surely she hadn’t said it aloud, but that is what transpired. She took one look at this man, this extraordinary, incredible man, and she was hooked, plain and simple.

“You amazed me then, that first day at the Institute. I didn’t realize anyone like you could truly be real, or that I was capable of forming an attachment with such strength. I had seen too much, I reasoned, knew the darkness of the world in ways that may leave me lacking for the rest of my days. I thought such chances at something halfway near normal were beyond me, but those first sparks between us proved me wrong. I was totally ensnared, caught in a web you couldn’t help for making, and still, that immediate response can’t compare to all I feel now. Knowing you – loving you – I am more certain each and every day that you hold my heart in your hand. I am yours, Emma. I have been yours, and I will remain yours all the days of my life.”

There was absolutely no chance at stopping from crying now, but the sensation was one of happiness. She was actually living a fairytale. Her, the once lost girl who never had a nickel to her name, or a friend to keep her going. She had survived the cruelest affairs of the heart. She had been so terribly and tragically alone, but she persisted, and she learned, through the grace of her son, and the courage of her convictions, to live. Now with Killian she was starting anew, building up the small life she’d shared with Henry into something much bigger. To say she was exited at the prospect was an understatement.

“Emma Swan, will you -,”

“I want to adopt Cecelia!” Emma said abruptly, blurting out a seemingly unrelated fact in the middle of what had been the most beautiful proposal. She was mortified, but only for a moment. Because the smile on Killian’s face calmed the storm inside her.

“Ah, right. You see, I had anticipated that, though in the interest of full disclosure I envisioned this part of the conversation after your reply to the proposal. Regardless, I offer you this, love.”

Emma watched as he juggled the ring and instinctively she took it, holding the box and sparing another glance at the absolutely beautiful band. Her fingers itched to put it on now, but she knew it would be so much better to let Killian do the honors. She then watched in amazement as he pulled out a series of papers from inside his jacket. He opened the file containing them all and showed her an application for adoption. The child in question was Cecelia, and the forms listed both Emma and Killian as petitioning guardians. Now she was completely overwhelmed. He knew every single part of her. Every hope. Every dream. He was perfect.

“Family is so much more than blood, Swan, as we both know, and I think we’ve known for sometimes that Cecelia will always be our princess.”

“Yes,” Emma whispered. Yes to everything, yes to all of it.

“I’ve also spoken to Henry, not intentionally per se, wanting to speak with you first, but it would mean the world to adopt him as well. I don’t know how you’d feel about that, but I-,”

“Yes,” she said again, this time with even more conviction.

“Yes?” he asked with a hopeful grin and she nodded. “Well in that case. May I, love?”

She handed him the papers which he put down beside them with care. Emma watched as he took the ring box back from her other hand. He settled down on bended knee again, preparing himself for another attempt at asking her to marry him. It took everything in her to bite her tongue and let him actually get the request out.

“Emma Swan, love of my life, light of my spirit, and queen of my heart, will you please do me the honor of becoming my wife.”

“Yes.”

Everything from there went quickly as he slipped the ring on her finger, tossing the box without care to the group. Killian was up at full height in mere moments, pulling her in for a scorching kiss and Emma was complete. It may not have been a totally according to plan proposal, but Emma believed what they had was even better, because it was real and true and filled with so much love. She could think of no better way to start a beautiful forever, and when they pulled back, resting their foreheads against each other and soaking in the moment, Emma let out a sigh of sheer relief. This was what they meant when they said happily ever after, and it was so very worth the wait.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy,” Emma murmured aloud.

“Neither have I,” an emotional voice said – only it wasn’t Killian. The voice continued. “Truly beautiful.”

“Gran,” Killian muttered shaking his head. Emma bit her lip and covered her mouth. They had absolutely just been caught out here, but when they both turned to see their unexpected audience, consisting of Killian’s family, Elsa and Anna, and Henry and Cecelia, a different person outside of all the rest, was revealed to be the culprit.

“You take that back, Killian, for you know better than that,” Gran said, standing beside a dressed up and dazzling looking Mrs. Hubbard. Mr. Hubbard was there too, his hand on Henry’s shoulder and his leg being held onto by a very friendly Cecelia. Emma never expected to see her dear, sweet neighbors. Their appearance here in Montenarro left her floored.

“My new friends are a treat, believe me,” Gran continued, walking forward, and seemingly giving everyone else the silent permission to do the same. “But their spying skills need work. I would never speak through such a moment, nor rustle these hedges with quite so much gusto. Not to worry though, they’ll learn.”

Everyone descended in that moment to wish them all well, but the most important reactions came from Henry and from Cecelia. The happiness of both of these kids – their kids – gave Emma tremendous joy and satisfaction. She was also thrilled to share this with their blended family, and with the friends who had become such strong bonds in her new life. After much congratulations, everyone returned to the party, and an announcement was made. If Emma believed the reaction to be enthusiastic from her loved ones, it was even bolder from all of the children at the center. Indeed, the happiness and infectious sense of hope made for the best party any of them had ever been to, and created an afternoon like none she’d ever experienced.

Hours later, Emma was still reeling from the high, and loving the fact that she and Killian had stayed together all day. He’d never let her go after her saying yes, always beside her, supporting her, adoring her, and loving her endlessly. She was so happy with him, but as the day drew to a close, her spirits dampened slightly. In his usual form, Killian caught on immediately.

“What’s the matter, love?” he asked, sure that no one else was listening, even though they were still amidst the party.

“Nothing,” Emma said automatically, though that was only half true. “This is one of the best days of my life. It’s just… the waiting…”

“Aye, I’ve considered that too. But I think I’ve arrived at a workable solution.” Emma looked at him curiously. “I will submit for a special license from the crown. The King and I are on decent terms you see.”

“Decent, huh?” Emma teased, looking over at Liam and finding him swaying with Elsa on a makeshift dance floor. There wasn’t even any music playing, but to this happy couple, and to the children dancing nearby, that didn’t matter in the slightest.

“He’s been in better spirits of late, as you might imagine.”

“Seems to be going around.”

“Mmm,” Killian hummed out, running his hand along her cheek and looking at her with sincerity and bliss. “We can have everything arranged in a week. It’ll be quite the undertaking, but the staff is up to the challenge.”

“A week?” Emma said, not believing it. Surely it must take longer than that, but she loved the idea. In truth, she’d marry him right now if she could. “Can we really do that?”

“Just say the word, Emma.”

“Yes,” she said nodding. “It’s crazy. Actually it’s totally insane, but yes, please, yes.”

“As you wish,” he replied kissing her again under the party lights and lighting her aflame once more. “In the meantime, I’ve no wish to be apart. We should be together, love, as long as that’s what you want.”

“I do.”

“Everything’s ready. I’ve been working for weeks on it. The rooms for Henry, for Cecelia, all of it. It’s merely a matter of moving your things in, all of which can be done tonight.”

“You’re serious?” Emma asked and he nodded.

“A magistrate’s already granted temporary custody for Cecelia. You can take her home now while the process continues. Please, love, say you’ll all come home to me.”

Emma looked over to Henry and to Cecelia, who were dancing together on the floor. Emma watched as her son already took so well to his new sister, and as if she’d conjured his attention, Henry glanced her way. He waved, a sign that Emma returned. Drawing attention to them set Cecelia in motion, and soon the little girl was dragging Henry across the party. Soon enough they were back together, the four of them a new but undoubtedly permanent unit. Cecelia jumped into Killian’s arms, and Henry came to Emma’s side looking up with his knowing expression.

“What’s up, Mom?” he asked and Emma smiled, unable to resist pulling him and pressing a kiss to the crown of his head.

“How would you feel about moving to Killian’s house -,”

“Our house,” Killian stressed and Emma chuckled.

“Sorry, our house, tonight?”

“That would be awesome!” Henry said excitedly. “Can we do that?”

“Aye.”

“And me too?” Cecelia asked hopefully.

“Yes, honey, you too,” Emma said, brushing a stray curl from Cecelia’s face. The kids made their feelings known. They were in, totally and completely. “Well I guess we have our answer then.”

“Aye, love. The best of answers, all around.”

And so, later that night, when the festivities of the day had ended, and the children all departed, Emma and Killian, Henry and Cecelia all headed home together, enjoying their first night in a place that would always be theirs. And though Emma knew they were in for a crazy week of planning and party design, and wedding wildness, she was truly joyful. For this was a life beyond her wildest dreams, and she knew, deep down to her core, that it was going to be breathtaking.

Post-Note: So… what did you think? Personally, I found it SO cathartic to write this scene. It’s been such a long time coming and I have pictured this outcome for Emma and for Killian even before writing the first word of this story. Almost a year ago to the day this story came to me, and my hope is to write out the final chapter by the one year anniversary in early May. Hopefully it won’t take quite so long, but please know that it has been a joy to write this and share with all of you. I hope this chapter and this fic have brought some brightness to your world and some magic to your moment. This has been an insane time, but I’ve been grateful to share it with all of you. Anyway, hope you all enjoyed, and I’d love to hear what your hopes for the end of this story are. Until next time, wishing you all well and healthy and safe! xE.

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makeste · 5 years

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BnHA Bonus Diversion: Horikoshi’s Sketches

of all the things I could have spent time writing a post about on my morning off, it ended up being this. but in my defense, Horikoshi’s sketches are actually amazing and this was kind of overdue.

so! as you may know, Horikoshi Kouhei frequently gets bored and doodle-y and is then kind enough to share the resulting drawings with us. sketchy boi. but not sketchy like that. though he did invent Mineta so maybe a little.

anyway, because he’s so disgustingly talented, these pictures are usually amazing. and there are a lot of them. when I finally got around to doing this post, I ran a search for “Horikoshi sketches” and it turned out there was a whole wiki page dedicated just to them (god bless whoever is running the BnHA wiki, they do such a good job). and, well...

two hundred and eighty-eight. you may recognize this as being nearly fifty more than the current number of chapters. this would mean he’s releasing at least one sketch a week and has been doing so for the past five years! fortunately (for me, who has to do a recap of all these), this number is slightly misleading, as this page apparently includes some of the character sketches he did for the volume omakes. so I don’t have to go through 300 sketches omfg. but still, there are a lot! so I’ll just go through them and post my favorites and see how many we can get through in this post I guess.

these are all in alphabetical order according to their file names on the wiki, and like I said, I’m not doing all of them, just the ones that catch my eye the most. which is still a ton of them. honestly we’re about to find out whether tumblr text posts have image limits. (ETA: the limit does not exist!)

right off the bat we are getting off to a great start! love me the ladies of class 1-A. these girls are all so, so valid. I love how Deku is there too and his hair is transforming into a tree or something.

this is a sketch from chapter 10. this cat I guess just came up to them and they were like “...” and the cat was like “...” and long story short they’ve been like this now for a whole hour. meanwhile Aizawa is wondering where his cat has gone.

why are they dressed like it’s world war I. ??

holy fuck this cat. did it eat the other cat. anyway do you guys think Momo and Todoroki were walking to school together because that’s some cute shit omg. we know there is a cat that hangs out around Shouto’s house, so he’s probably good at playing with stray cats, and they probably really like him because he is calm and kind.

holy shit.

oh my god I need Tsuyu’s siblings to come visit the dorms at U.A. and play with Eri!! now.

posting this one because it’s cute, but also because it notably has nothing at all to do with the actual chapter 120. but that’s okay.

what, and I mean this sincerely, the fuck.

are they making chocolate?? you know, canonically we haven’t actually had a Valentine’s Day yet in the series, and now I’m really hoping we get a little mini plot. things that would happen:

every single girl makes chocolate for Todoroki and he just accepts it very politely and obliviously.

they actually make enough chocolate for everyone (except Mineta. and honestly they would have, except they know how that’s gonna go down, and no. Tsuyu really would have made you some pity chocolate dawg, but you brought this on yourself). but don’t end up giving it to everyone. specifically several of them thought better about giving some to Bakugou after seeing him react to the first unlucky person to give him some (y’all know that song I THREW IT ON THE GROUND by the Lonely Island? I’m sure you can understand my meaning here). and also Jirou gets way too flustered about giving some to Kaminari and chickens out. she gives it to Momo instead. hmmMMMM.

Satou also makes chocolate for everyone, EVEN BAKUGOU, and it’s delicious. no one is throwing his chocolate on the ground.

Aoyama makes chocolate for Deku because!! ☆ ☆ WE ARE FRIENDS, MON AMI ☆ ☆ ☆ oui oui baguette.

I love everything about this, but especially Ochako’s face. she’s just like. sincerely trying to figure out exactly where she went wrong.

excuse the fuck out of me but DID HORIKOSHI SERIOUSLY HINT AT THE FUCKING A-BAND A WHOLE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY CHAPTERS BEFORE IT ACTUALLY HAPPENED. omfg. “what a cute AU!” “yes... AU,” Horikoshi agrees, nodding to himself. although after giving it some thought, he made the wise decision to switch Kaminari and Bakugou’s instruments. because we all know Bakugou was born to play the drums.

NO!!! VIDEO GAMES!!! IN CLASS!!!!!!!! [does a fucking aerial while emitting furious little huffs and bitchslapping Kirishima in the face]

I can’t figure out what’s going on in this picture. it appears to be baseball, except that Bakugou doesn’t have a bat. which I guess is the joke?? because his quirk is so strong he doesn’t need the fucking bat? except that I feel like that would result in either a broken arm or a blown-up baseball. idk this would make more sense with him as the pitcher.

“we really do love this AU, Horikoshi-sensei.” “yes... AU.”

this time it’s Shouji on the drums. I get that we all want to see Bakugou shred guitar, but it feels like he was just postponing the inevitable.

a full 85 chapters before he actually did this in the manga. god he really does enjoy foreshadowing with these things. I need to start paying more attention to these.

I have no words.

actually I do have words, and they are, “is that a fucking toothbrush.”

also is it just me or does he look, like, really swole in this pic. like, this is what the scarf has been hiding the whole time?? here we all thought he was a beanpole who subsisted off of energy bars and plain rice, but like. nope.

:) showing that there’s no hard feelings about the whole shooting-you-in-the-fucking-face thing. All Might is squeezing his hand awfully tightly, though.

all of them are so good-looking when they’re not trying. and then they open their mouths.

I am pained that there hasn’t at least been a karaoke chapter in one of the light novels yet, guys. pained. I NEED THIS.

holy fuck Todoroki. what are you, a mermaid?? I feel like this is a result of a prank gone wrong. like the other guys were sick of the girls always pining after him, and so they tried rubbing a balloon on his head in an effort to make him look ridiculous, only IT BACKFIRED COMPLETELY. shit.

fuck me I love this. of course Kami blowdries his hair and puts a ridiculous amount of effort into achieving the same kind of boyishly tousled look Todoroki is JUST NATURALLY BORN WITH. some things in life just aren’t fair. also lmao Deku.

oh my god. how are they all so cute. this was from episode 12 btw. you’re welcome for saving your life All Might.

I don’t have the slightest idea wtf is going on here but omg.

this was for episode 16 of the anime, a.k.a. the obstacle course episode of the Sports Festival arc in season 2. I can’t read what they’re saying, but I’ll tell you what, I know Bakugou is being a rude little shit and I’m here for it.

SHINSOUUUUUU. this was for episode 20. his one and only appearance in the anime so far. he knows he’s here for a good time not a long time.

lmao. my headcanon is that Monoma actually ended up losing after this, but somehow still managed to be smug about it.

lmaoooo. Kacchan refusing to even acknowledge that this is a thing that is happening for some reason.

HAWKS DID YOU REALLY KILL THIS MAN. COME ON OUT HERE I JUST WANT TO TALK.

I feel like taming Deku’s hair is arguably even more of a feat than taming Bakugou’s. meanwhile Iida looks 90% the same. and Todoroki is. well. just goes to show that this look is not for just anyone.

I have never in my life seen Katsuki so full on just done with life. like he is so fucking over this shit. he’s just rolled over and accepted it. I have never seen Bakugou fucking Katsuki just sigh and be all, “you know what, this might as well happen.” not until this moment. wow.

you guys I’m crying.

is it just me or do the little matroyshka dolls actually look like little nun Jeanists. though the hair swoosh is going the wrong way. Monomas, maybe.

HOLY SHIT I LOVE THIS? my god, how useful would Shouji’s quirk be for this sort of thing. and Shouto looks so surprised (on like, a Todoroki scale) to have actually caught something. oh my god. so fucking cute. c’mere you. someone needs a hair ruffle.

I feel like this is how Tokoyami would want to be remembered. yes I know he’s not dead.

oh my god. so I’ve seen this one floating around on tumblr, but like. ffff. it’s my favorite ever. they are. so. fucking. cute. both looking up to All Might. and then the contrast between their innocent happy faces and their shocked and worried expressions watching All Might at Kamino. god it fucking destroys me. all four of these kids need hugs goddammit. the older ones because they’re heartbroken, and the little bubbas just because they’re so stinkin’ cute omfg.

I LOVE HER AND I’M NOT SORRY. please Horikoshi give me more Bakufam in this upcoming arc. who do I have to bribe or threaten.

STRANGER DANGER omg. Toga no. that’s not nice.

Horikoshi what did my heart ever do to you for you to treat it like this.

villain Iida from episode 7 holy fuck I’m dying.

here come the New Year’s sketches! I’ve been looking forward to these. Kacchan photo strategy: never look directly at the camera.

I wonder which animal year 2016 was. rooster, probably.

fucking look at Todoroki fucking Shouto stuffing his face yet again. can you stop chewing for one fucking second. we’re trying to take a picture you slob.

the year is 2018. Horikoshi Kouhei attempts to draw a dog, because it’s the year of the fucking dog. it does not go well. panicked, he takes the All Might he’s already started drawing, and for some reason attempts to turn it into another dog. it goes even worse. now he’s really starting to sweat. “oh shit,” he whispers, drawing Deku upside-down in his unrest. “oh fuck.” finally he just draws Bakugou shouting the words HAPPY NEW YEAR in giant letters across the screen, hoping that’ll be enough to distract everyone from all the rest of it. it is not.

oh my god. thank you so much to everyone who went to SDCC and made him so happy. this is the purest thing I’ve ever seen. also loving Bakugou tolerating the shit out of All Might leaning on him omg. I’m so fucking weak for this as always.

this is Horikoshi’s most recent sketch! lookit, he’s so happy with the toy him omg. it actually is really badass.

league of dorks. I love Toga’s face. and how Horikoshi clearly put more effort into drawing Tomura’s Face Hand than the entire rest of the picture.

I don’t understand a single element of this. wow. also this is twice now that Horikoshi has drawn the fucking Predator in these sketches. just pointing that out. of all the films to make multiple references to. what’s going on here. and is Mineta playing the fucking little sister in Totoro. am I losing my fucking mind.

this was for the season 3 premiere. I love how Bakugou and Deku are wrestling for control of the screen. but he knows better than to touch Mineta I guess.

Iida and Ochako are the only two reacting appropriately here. Bakugou just looks concerned. to be fair I guess that’s appropriate too. but Deku is all “fuck YEAH All Might you go ahead and SMASH YOUR FACE RIGHT THROUGH THAT MONITOR” and I feel like his blanket approval of all his mentor’s actions has finally gone too far.

this just goes to show you that even a very simple sketch concept can pay off dividends if you play your cards right. good job Horikoshi.

he could run faster if he just pulled his fucking pants up. does anyone have any brain cells to spare for my son here. please he needs them. I don’t know what he thinks a belt is actually for...?

hello this is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen and also is Kirishima doing the kage bunshin pose from Naruto or.

sob Aizawa I’m dead. I fucking love how Mineta is like HE’S CLEARLY FINE IT WAS A FLOP as though Kirishima is not literally covered in fucking grape balls. something else I also love is that Katsuki is number 10 and Deku is number 11. even in a soccer match he can’t stand to be lower then his rival sob. also Ochako is straight up about to rip off Mina’s head jesus christ girl run.

there aren’t even words for how much I ship this. just emotions. omg.

this is one of those pictures that keeps getting more wtf the longer you stare at it. naturally your eyes are drawn to Todoroki’s reindeer antlers first. by contrast, Ochako looks relatively normal, even with the odd pose. but then you notice Deku’s Christmas tree hair. from there your eyes are drawn down to his strange lack of a shirt. and then, finally, you spot him. Tokoyami. you wonder if the mangaka has finally gone too far. you’re still not sure.

for once it’s not Todoroki who’s leaping into action with his mouth full. never one to back down from a challenge, Bakugou has picked the absolute least practical food to consume whilst in the middle of battling. I can barely eat spaghetti without making a mess when I’m not throwing down. I’m not sure what a good food to eat while throwing down would be, but maybe something more portable, like a calzone.

I feel drawn to him the same way one might be drawn to a stray cat, even though you’re pretty sure the cat is really wary of people and will probably try to claw or bite you if you get too close. I would like to pat him on the head, but he might try to blow me up. eh, worth it.

look at the Baku Protection Squad trying to do some fucking Abbey Road thing. damn you can really see how short Tokoyami is in this. also Bakugou buys pants that are at least three sizes too big I s2g.

and that’s it! anyways, this was fun as heck. I’ve bookmarked Horikoshi’s Twitter now so I can keep up with the new sketches as they’re released. this is fucking great, and a whole new bonus to being caught up with the manga that I haven’t been appreciating until now. fucking love it.

#bnha #boku no hero academia #bnha spoilers #class 1-a #horikoshi kouhei #horikoshi sketches #makeste reads bnha #sorry if I accidentally skipped anyone's favorite #they're all so good honestly #I tell you what you can never unsee the tokoyami christmas turkey thing though and that's going to keep me up at night

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iwatchanimeoccasionally · 5 years

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Alright so, here is the story of Larry (under the read more in case anyone doesn’t want this)

PS this took me 1.5 hours to write and it is about 4.5 thousand words long. I don’t know what I was expecting, but damn.

Sunday, I had the day off and had no plans so Larry was free-roaming from when I got up to about 7 in the evening and she was acting normal that entire time, when I switched her out for Nebula. Around 12:30 AM I went upstairs to give them all their supper and let Deku have her chance at free-roam before I went to bed, which she never takes so she just gets an hour with her cage open before I go to sleep. Immediately, I could tell something was wrong with Larry when she was huddled in her litter box and didn’t perk up and come check her hay when I put it in her feeder and jump up to see me. I called out for her a couple times, thinking maybe she was just sleeping really soundly, but still, she barely flicked an ear in my direction. I went ahead and finished feeding the other pets first, wanting to make sure everyone was taken care of before I could give 100% of my attention to Larry.

Finally, everyone was fed and watered, and Larry still wasn’t even acknowledging that I was feeding her when I gave her pellets, which she has always been super excited for. So I went in her cage, which I try to avoid doing because all rabbits would much rather come to you than have you in their personal space. I reached out to pet her, and she just let me. Might not seem like a huge thing if you don’t own rabbits or don’t know how mine are, but normally if she’s in her litter box and decide to pet her without her asking for it first, she will lunge and grunt at me. So, now I have a couple red flags being set off and scaring me.

Already feeling the tears burning my eyes, I try to pick her up. Again, no fight. She just let me. Never happens. She likes being held sometimes, but never does she let me get in her cage and pick her up from her litter box without a fight! That is her sacred alone space that I shouldn’t be allowed to pet her in, let alone lifting her. So now I’m fully crying and taking her into my mom’s room because there is something deeply wrong with my baby and it’s nearly 1 AM at this point in a small town, so I don’t know what to do. I go in and just sob out, “There’s something really wrong with Larry.”

Now, even with others cohabiting with her, I am the only one who really knows Larry. I mean, yeah, other people know some of her mannerisms and know that she is amazing and love her. But there is not a single person in this world who knows all about her like I do. So I’m blown off a little bit, Mom thinking that she might just be really tired or in a funny mood today. She has me put Larry on her bed to see how she acts, and she’s alert, moving around a little bit, but now anywhere near her normal activity levels. (meanwhile Alek is just wondering what the hell is going on because she’s not supposed to be in there, that’s his space, but he’s still nervous enough around her that he wouldn’t dare get close) I explain that she’s not eating, or expressing any interest in her food, and Mom’s first thought is, “Did you try giving her a bit of banana to see if she’ll eat that?”

Of course I hadn’t done that. The thought did very briefly cross my mind, but I immediately brushed it off because, fun fact, if your rabbit is having stomach issues it’s not really the best idea to give them sugar, which is enough to mess up their GI tract if handled poorly on a good day. But I go with it, run downstairs to get a banana to let her have a tiny bite of. When I go back upstairs, she’s acting mostly alert and immediately eats a bit of the fruit with no fight. Which seemed to put my mom’s mind to rest, but not mine. Because this isn’t normal and what if I just made it worse.

After expressing my concerns, I’m urged to just go back to bed and if she’s not back to normal in the morning, I can just call out from work and we’ll take her to the vet. So, Larry and I go back to my room and I put her back in her cage, where she immediately goes back to her litter box. I offer to hand feed her some pellets and sunflower seeds (black oil, the only kind they can have in moderation), neither of which she has ever been known to turn down. This time, though, she has 0 interest. She doesn’t even want to smell them. So I sit there for a while, still in tears, wondering what I can do for her.

Then I remember that I have critical care! So I go downstairs to grab that, assuming this is all a case of stasis, which is terrible but supposedly manageable if you catch it in time and get your rabbit on critical care until you can go to the vet. I also grab her favorite treat, which is just made of compressed hay so I figure it won’t hurt her to have if she’s willing to eat it. When I get back upstairs, I pull Larry out again and we hang out on my bed, where I try to spoon feed her critical care because I don’t have a syringe so that’s the only way I can mange. She has zero interest, and when I try to put it on a piece of banana, she just eats what little banana she can get without critical care on it. But we hang out for a while, her mostly just laying in one spot and ignoring me. Until finally she gets tired of being there and decides it’s time to get back to her litter box.

Back in her cage, I let her just lay there and sit as close as I think I can without feeling like I’m going to stress her out when she gets a bit closer to normal. For the next several hours we just sit there. I sing to her for a while, starting with her favorite song, as that’s something that usually calms her.

Finally, 7 AM rolls around and I have been sobbing off and on for the pas 6.5 hours and she’s still not better. So, I leave her alone for a minute and go back to my mom, updating her on the situation and letting her know that we need to go to the vet (she’s driving because I’m not super comfortable driving on a good day, let alone when I’m crying myself sick over Larry). Of course, she tells me to call them and oops, I got times mixed up in my panic and exhaustion so they’re not even open for another hour.

Still though, she’s taking me seriously and gets up to get ready. I call work while she’s in the bathroom. My newest coworker answers the phone and I didn’t even think to ask for a manager or anything, I’m just immediately off with, “Something’s really wrong with Larry and I’m not coming in today because I’m going to try to take her to the vet and even if they don’t have time for her, I can’t work when she’s like this. Oh yeah, Larry’s my rabbit, I don’t know if I’ve told you that before.”

“Ok, so, you want me to tell *manager’s name* for you?”

Slight pause on my part as I realize I should’ve asked if she was working before I tell her to please do that for me.

Eight come by finally, and the second the clock turns I’m dialing the vet. She offers me an 11 or I can bring Larry in sooner and they can work on her between appointments. I ask how soon, and she says I can come in as soon as possible, so of course I go with that option.

By 8:15 we’re at the vet’s office and I’m checking her in. Larry’s already pulled up on the computer even though I never gave my name over the phone, so she’s well known enough there that they were able to find her without anything more than her name and species, and that makes me feel a little warm and fuzzy inside even through all the terror and panic.

The vet asks a couple questions: what exactly is going on with her, how long has she been like this, was she normal on saturday(which my sleep deprived brain had a really hard time figuring out wasn’t just yesterday anymore), what do I normally feed her, those sorts of things. He also asked if he had permission to do x-rays and/or bloodwork if need be and I am just flabbergasted that he asked, replying with, “Do whatever it takes to help her.” He also tells me that cancer can sometimes cause those symptoms, and I immediately freak out because what am I gonna do if she has cancer? We’re out and on our way back home by 8:30, and surprise surprise, I cried through her check-in and all the way home.

The next couple hours and a blur of stress and terror and anxiety as I try to convince myself that she’s not dying.

At 10:20 the vet calls. He ended up taking x-rays and thinks her stomach and intestines are extremely full so he’s just going to give her fluids and monitor her for a while to see if she’s able to pass whatever blockage there may be on her own. I mentioned then that she was molting like crazy and I was having a hard time keeping up with brushing, so it might be her fur as I know that’s common with rabbits, and the doc agrees that may be it. We hang up then with a promise for him to call me back with more information in a couple hours.

1:50 comes and my concern is creeping in enough that I can’t keep fighting it off, so I call them back to see how she’s doing. The vet then tells me that he sent the x-rays off to a specialist to see what she thought and she told him that those were normal levels of fullness and that now it might be her liver so he needs to do bloodwork. The tests were almost done when I called, so he said he’d call me back in about ten minutes when they finished.I’m already freshly terrified and breaking down because what if it is her liver? What then?

20 minutes later, he calls back with bad news.

I don’t remember what, exactly, the numbers were or what they were for, but one was about 4x what it was supposed to be and another was about double. This made the specialist think that she had a flipped liver lobe, which is apparently common in rabbits. What that means, though, is that she needs emergency surgery as soon as possible. He tells me the risks; he’s never done that surgery on a rabbit before, the specialist only does about 5 a year and has about a 60-80% success rate, surgery is already risky for rabbits, and it absolutely has to be done tonight. He then says that he’d really like to give it a shot and would do his very best for her if I chose to have him do it. Also said was the fact that I’d have to drive 2.5 hours in July in Iowa to get to the specialist, and I don’t know if you know this, but rabbits don’t do well with heat. And if we went to the specialist, they’d probably charge $1,000-$2,000 while he would only charge about $400 since it’d be a lot more risky to do such an experimental surgery with him.

I am fully sobbing, crouched in on myself and guttural sobs wracking my body on the front porch when I hang up with him, having asked for 10 minutes to make some calls and come to a decision. Which was never really a decision anyway because she couldn’t handle that drive, I couldn’t pay the price, and the risks are still too high to go to the specialist. Really, I’m mainly just taking a second to break down and call my mom before I tell this man, who has never even met my baby before this incident, to do an extremely risky procedure on my baby, my entire world.

When I talk to my mom, she offers to come home from work to be with me.After calling the vet back and leaving a message for her doctor to call me back, I go back inside to update the rest of my family and my grandma asks if I’m going to the vet to see her. I hadn’t even thought that was an option so I perk up a little and call my mom back to see if she would take me. Apparently, she had already assumed we were doing that. I’m still freaking out, but i feel a little better that I’ll be able to see her at least. While I wait for her to get to the house, I call my boss to let her know that I’d be missing Tuesday as well. I’m mostly composed when she answers, but as soon as she knows it’s me, she asks if I’m ok.

Of course, the answer is no and I start crying again when I answer. “So, Larry’s not ok?” And my boss is a good woman, I can hear the concern in her voice and she is completely ok with me missing another day when I explain the situation to her and let her know that there is no way I’m coming in tomorrow. Right when I’m hanging up, my mom pulls up and we’re off to the vet for the second time that day.

Just as we get there and let the person at the counter know we’re there for Larry, the vet calls me back and I let him know that I’m already there and that he had good timing. I can hear him echoing from the hallway and am no prepared for any of this.

He ushers us into a conference room then for some privacy. I immediately say, “If you can tell me that there are any odds of her surviving, I’ll let you do her surgery.” Being a doctor, he obviously responded with the risks and not promising anything, apparently thinking I wanted a promise that she’d live. All I wanted was a guarantee that she wasn’t doomed. The risks were still the same as before, and I was getting a little tired of hearing it all repeated back to me.

Then I ask to see her, still half expecting to be told no, but he seemed to think that was the natural next step. So he started leading us back to her and he warned me that she was wearing a cone of shame because she had an IV for fluids and she kept trying to chew it out, which I actually was able to laugh at a little because that is so Larry of her. He also goes over her numbers with my mom because I sure didn’t pass along any information that I didn’t deem crucial.

We get to her and she’s huddle in the back of the kennel, pissed off to have the cone on. The vet warns me not to let her jump out before he opens the door for me, and I’m in there like a rocket, petting her and talking to her and crying. I don’t remember everything I said to her, but I do know I said the following, “Please don’t die, you’re my entire world, you can’t die now,” “Be strong for me and get through this surgery like a champ,” “I love you so so much,” “I’m sorry you don’t feel good,” “I can’t do this without you, I love you so much, please be strong for me.”

Mom talked to her too, apparently telling her she can’t die because she doesn’t think I could go on if she did.

We talked to the vet a bit more once we closed the kennel, my mom breaking down because she thought the number he gave me was for everything so far and the surgery would be $1000 and we can’t afford that. But he quickly assured us it wouldn’t be that expensive and it was the range he gave earlier, which I could handle.

I also asked if this was something I did wrong, which it wasn’t, and if those numbers could happen in hours or if I had somehow missed signs for days, which I hadn’t. So, even though I was still completely broken, I at least felt a tiny bit of selfish relief that I hadn’t done anything wrong.

Before I talked to her for the last time before leaving, I asked if she would have to stay overnight, which was a definite yes and he thought she might even have to stay the next night as well. He also let us know that it would be a few hours before he called again about how it went.

The next couple hours, I’m so on edge, but I’m temporarily out of tears to cry after the first ten minutes or so of being home and updating my sister, who had been at work all day and just got home. Mom went back to work then, as well, since my sister was home and she knew I had company that would keep me from going too dark in my mind.

At 5:10 I wander away from my phone for one minute, thinking the ringer would be loud enough to call me back if I got the call.

At 5:11, I check my phone and see that I missed a call from the vet.

At 5:12 I call back to see what’s up and get sent to the after hours answering service.

At 5:13 I notice I have a voicemail.

“Hi, this is Dr. *name* from *vet clinic name*. I’m just calling to let you know that Larry’s surgery went well and she’s awake.”

Immediately, I’m crying again, but finally it’s from happiness and relief rather than fear and an aching sadness.

I call my mom right away and tell her the good news, crying all the while and ecstatic at finally having good news to share.

I don’t remember then if I called them and requested the on-call vet or if he called me, but I was soon on the phone with the vet with him telling me the good news yet again. I thank him profusely and he asks if they could post pictures of Larry on their facebook page because they like doing that sometimes, which I wouldn’t have refused even if I didn’t love sharing pictures of Larry almost as much as I love her.

Despite my relief, I miss Larry all evening and sleep is hard that night without her in the room.

The next morning, I get a call at 9:10 that Larry is alert and ready to come home! I shoot out of bed and we’re at the vet’s for her within 15 minutes. I open the carrier as soon as they bring her out, and she’s already trying to climb out to see me and I’m barely holding back my tears of joy.

We have to stay then to talk to the assistant who brought her out, and all the while she’s standing up and looking around and just so happy to see me. Which I know sounds like I’m just projecting, but she genuinely was happy to see me and to be coming home. While we’re talking to the assistant, Larry’s normal vet comes out and comments on how good Larry is looking and how bad it sounded yesterday.

We make it home by 10:30 and she is as you’d expect a rabbit to be after surgery. Her appetite is very low and she doesn’t want to drink water. I let it go for an hour before I call the vet, wondering if I need to be concerned at the fact that she’s barely eating or pooping and her poops are weird. All is to be expected and I’m told to call back around 3-4 if she’s not getting better.

Eventually, I get tired just talking over the phone, and I just go the the office to show them a picture of her poop. Of course, I’m told that this is normal for a post-surgery bunny and her vet is nice so she’d never tell me that I’m being over protective and crazy paranoid, but I’m sure she’s thinking it. She gives me a probiotic to mix with her food just to make me feel better and make sure that Larry keeps pooping.

The rest of that day is relatively calm, I keep Larry in her cage because rabbits need limited running and jumping right after surgery, and I have to stop myself from sitting with her all day and bothering her to eat and drink. Still, I can’t stop myself from checking her every half hour to hour. Eventually, she gets to the point where she sees me enter the room and grabs a piece of hay to get me off her back.

The next morning(this morning) is a different story. I wake up at 6 AM to Nebula flipping out, chewing her litter box and trying to bang it around. I give her hay, because normally that’s all she wants when she’s being like that, then I look at Larry because as long as I’m awake I should check on her.

She’s laying sprawled out with her stomach pressed on the bottom of her cage. Normal way to lay down for rabbits, sure. Not normal? I called her name and she didn’t respond. I immediately panic, calling the on-call vet before I’m even to her cage.

Her normal vet answers, groggy and clearly just waking up, and as soon as I hear her name I’m crying and saying, “Larry’s not responsive and laying with her stomach pressed to the floor and I’m scared.”

“That’s not normal. I can meet you at the office, but it won’t be until 7.” The vet clinic is split with a couple other towns and the vets are shared, so I assume she just lives that far away? Whatever the reason, I agree and she says she’ll call me when she’s nearly there.

Naturally, I go to wake up my mom again to update her and to cry to her again. She tells me to go ahead and get Larry ready to go, which I do, and as soon as I offer the carrier to Larry, she starts to perk up and climbs in. I take her to sit in the hallway then, opening the top to pet her. After a few minutes, she hops out and just starts wandering, like nothing is even wrong.

Even still I want to go in because what if I’m not crazy? So I put her away for a bit until I get the call to head in, and she’s acting normal. Of course. At this point I think she might just be a little groggy and harder to wake up, but nothing scary.

We go in, and the vet is happy to see her relatively normal. Again, she’s too nice to call me crazy, but I apologize for it anyway and she brushes me off, saying she’d rather see her and have it be nothing than the opposite, which is my thought exactly.

After examining her, the vet decides she seems to be in good health but her temperature is a little high, so she gave her a shot of penicillin and tells me to check back in on Friday because it’s supposed to last two days. Since then, she’s been (almost) her normal self.

She’s still on cage rest and I’m forcing myself to leave her alone more today and she’s really starting to seem better. She’s eating on her own more and I actually have a funny story from earlier today.

I went to check on her and gave her a treat to try to get her to eat more. She took it from me and I was really happy, because that hadn’t happened since she came home. I thanked her then for eating, and she started to eat a piece of hay. Again, I thanked her and asked her to keep doing that if I left her alone. So, I closed the door to her cage and she stopped eating. “No, keep eating,” I say and she starts chewing again. I take a few steps away and notice that she finished the piece she was eating but kept pretending to chew. “Come on, actually eat please.” She chins her food, like she could fool me into thinking she was eating by having her face close to the hay. “That’s not eating, I’m not dumb.” Finally she grabs a piece and starts chewing, stopping as soon as I turn my head even though I’m still watching her. “I see you...” And finally, she keeps eating and I hear her still munching as I leave the room.

And, for the latest update for the day, I went to give her dinner a little early because I want a schedule for the probios stuff she gets with her food, and she had eaten a good amount of her alfalfa hay (which she normally doesn’t get because it’s got a higher fat content that timothy, but I have some on hand for growing girl Nebula and it’s more tasty so she gets that until her appetite is closer to normal) and when I gave her romaine lettuce (to help with fiber and hydration) she ate a decent amount from hand feeding before she got tired of that, but then she ate all the rest that I just left in there for her!

So, long story short, Larry very nearly died but she didn’t and she’s looking pretty good right now!

#Larry Queen #50 shades of buns #long post #sorry for any spelling or grammar errors #i'm crying writing this #and i'm not about to read it again to edit #i'll probably update this in the coming days during her recovery #to keep you all updated #and also because i want to keep track of it all

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thirstinmore-blog · 5 years

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Best Albums of 2018

BEST ALBUMS 2018

20. Noname: Room 25

19. Jeremih & Ty Dolla $ign: Mih-Ty

18. Tierra Whack: Whack World

17. Parks Burton: Pare

16. Oneohtrix Point Never: Age Of

15. Angelique Kidjo: Remain in Light

14. Shannon Shaw: Shannon in Nashville

13. Curren$y & Freddie Gibbs: Fetti

12. Ariana Grande: Sweetener

11. Vince Staples: FM!

10. DJ Koze: Knock Knock

9. Mariah Carey: Caution

8. Courtney Barnett: Tell Me How You Really Feel

7. The Carters: Everything is Love

6. Snail Mail: Lush

5. Shannon & the Clams: Onion

4. Teyana Taylor: K.T.S.E.

3. Kacey Musgraves: Golden Hour

2. Blood Orange: Negro Swan

1. Dirty Projectors: Lamp Lit Prose

(Spotify playlist)

(Capsule reviews of Top 10 below)

10. DJ Koze: Knock Knock. The music writing trope of “a sounds like b + c” is as lazy as it is played, but sometimes you hear a record and those type of comparisons spring to mind, like when I first heard Saint Pepsi’s Hit Vibes and instantly thought of J Dilla making a disco record. That was also my response to Knock Knock, which sounds like the Avalanches making a more patient update of Since I Left You for 2018 ears. The record is long and lush, and draws from roughly nine billion different aesthetics, but its particular mélange still manages to sound fresh. As with SILY, the album is best experienced as a complete piece of music (though several tracks, such as “Lord Knows” and “Scratch That” would sound great in a mix or DJ set). Knock Knock takes the listener through ambling pathways that wrap around and revisit each other, like an evening stroll through the spacious Joshua Tree National Park depicted on its cover. It’s nearly a two-hour journey, but it’s well worth the price of admission.

9. Mariah Carey: Caution. Mariah got a dirty mouth and I’m here for it. As mother, a twice-divorcée, a woman nearing 50, her work and her image are all her own; if she wants to include the word “fuck” in a bunch of songs on her new album (“GTFO,” “With You,” “The Distance”), then who the fuck are we to tell her no? It’s a refreshing twist from someone whose public persona is often so curated, but I’m burying the lede. The real story here is that Caution is a batch of excellent R&B songs from one of the genre’s all-time greats. It’s not overwrought – by contrast, the album’s sultry blue cover art is indicative of the moods within. The Ty Dolla $ign-featuring “The Distance” is laid extremely deep in the cut, assisted by some subtle production from Poo Bear, Lido and—holy shit, Skrillex? Yup, and like Mariah herself, everyone involved uses an even hand and measured patience to let each song breathe.

A personal highlight for me is “A No No,” which flips the Lil Kim/Lil Cease classic “Crush On You” on its head. Here, where Biggie intones “he’s a slut, he’s a hoe, he’s a freak/got a different girl every day of the week,” there is no irony intended. She gauges her suitors’ intent and responds simply: “that’s a no-no.” In fact, the word “no” accounts for easily half the song’s lyrics, but it’s still a blast on subsequent listens. But don’t get it twisted – highlights abound herein, from aforementioned singles “GTFO” and “The Distance” to the thoughtful, expansive, Dev Hynes-helmed “Giving Me Life,” which begins as a downtempo club hit and morphs into a surrealist dream. Mariah Carey is one of the artists who’s been in my life the longest – I’m so happy she’s still killing it.

8. Courtney Barnett: Tell Me How You Really Feel. Courtney Barnett is what I was raised to believe an indie rock star should be: an unassuming, smart slacker with regular clothes and the ability to unleash earthbound poetry and atmosphere-puncturing solos with equal aplomb. That effortless cool permeates every facet of her work, from her casual half-singing style to her loose but proficient playing, a mighty guitar god in the body of a humble 31-year-old. (That she recorded a collaborative record with renowned cool guy Kurt Vile should surprise no-one.) But what’s really striking about Barnett’s work is her wryly observant lyrics; whether she’s describing the banalities of urban life (“City Looks Pretty”) or eviscerating toxic masculinity (“Nameless, Faceless”), her keen eye and incisive wit pervade every line. Tell Me is the sound of a strong artist getting stronger.

7. The Carters: Everything is Love. I often say that as I get older, my favorite elements of songwriting are editing and restraint. That’s why I tend to hate double albums and love EPs. I just believe that most double albums would be better if distilled down to one really strong record. EPs, on the other hand, leave the listener wanting more. Such is the case with Everything is Love, which reads like a Beyonce trap record with a number of guest verses from Jay. Regardless of speculation on who did the lion’s share of the writing on the record, both are in top form. Bey’s signature vocal virtuosity is on display as ever, but the real delight is in her capable delivery as a rapper. She glides effortlessly through triplets like “Poppin, I’m poppin, my bitches are poppin, we go to the dealer and cop it all.” Big Sean could never. Meanwhile, Jay turns in a few of my favorite bars of the year (and also a very slick Drake diss) on “Boss:”

“You not a boss, you got a boss. N*ggas gettin’ jerked, that shit hurts, I take it personaly. N*ggas’d rather work for the man than to work for me. Just so they can pretend they on my level, that shit is irkin’ to me. Pride always goeth before the fall, almost certainly. It’s disturbing what I gross. Survey says: you not even close. Everybody’s bosses till the time to pay for the office, till them invoices separate the men from the boys. Over here we measure success by how many people successful next to you. Here, we say you broke if everybody is broke except for you. BAWSE.”

I don’t know if they intend to release more records as The Carters, but Everything is Love is a fun, successful experiment.

6. Snail Mail: Lush. There’s no reason for a debut LP to be this good. The record, from solo project-turnt-band of 19-year-old Lindsay Jordan is focused, clever, and sophisticated. Every component of these songs appears exactly as it should. Jordan’s songwriting is clean and incisive (“I hope whoever it is holds their breath around you/’cause I know I did,” she sings on album standout “Heat Wave”). The arrangements are smartly simple; seldom do they deviate from the four-person rock lineup, so the embellishments that are included (the French horn on “Deep Sea,” the layered keys on “Speaking Terms”) really leap out. The playing throughout is lovely, with Jordan’s beautiful guitar technique front and center (the finger-picking on “Let’s Find an Out” is a particular delight). Everything in its right place – only where Radiohead’s inward gaze can be mopey and self-indulgent, the core strength of Lush is its efficiency. There’s no filler here – just the exact amount of support that each piece requires. The drumming feels especially strong in this regard – there’s an economic directness in Ray Brown’s playing that prioritizes the backbeat over everything, including his ego. The fills that he does include are modest and workmanlike.

It’s right that the record would be released by Matador, because these songs are drenched in the influences of the 90s slacker rock of Yo La Tengo, Sonic Youth, Sleater-Kinney and Sebadoh. And as with each of those bands, Snail Mail’s songs are buoyed by excellent lyrics. Jordan doesn’t just sound wise beyond her years, she actually seems to have lived more in her 19 years than many folks twice her age. There’s a subtext of sobriety in some of the songs (“It just feels like the same party every weekend, doesn’t it?” on “Pristine,” or “I’m so tired of moving on/spending every weekend so far gone” on “Heat Wave”). Perhaps the self-reflection that’s required in recovery has helped to distill her worldview.

And look, I don’t mean to be patronizing here – this album would be a major achievement from any person of any age. But to hear an artistic vision this crystal clear and laser-focused from a 19-year-old is something truly special. I can’t wait to hear what she does next.

5. Shannon & the Clams: Onion. Upon first listen, Onion struck me as the best record the Clams have released to date. Now, admittedly, I’m a sucker for keyboards, and the inclusion of organist Will Sprott is pure Patrick-bait. But beyond my own tastes, the organ both fills out and anchors the Clams’ garage doo-wop sound. There’s a welcome succinctness to Onion: the songwriting is tight, the guitar playing is melodic and utilitarian, and the vocal performances from both Cody and Shannon are more technically refined than in any of their previous outings. One wonders if Shannon’s work on her own solo album (the very good, Dan Auerbach-produced Shannon in Nashville, which also came out this year) pushed her to improve her technique. And don’t get it fucked up – this is still a Clams record. It’s still shaggy and loud and rambunctious – but they’ve worked hard to reign in their wildest tendencies. Some might say that it’s layered, just like-- *an oversized cane hooks around my throat and drags me offstage* ….Well…..let’s just say it’s good.

4. Teyana Taylor: KTSE. Of all the seven-song mini-albums Kanye produced in Wyoming this year, KTSE is both the best and the least talked-about. She arrives seemingly out of the blue, a fully-formed artist who knows her strengths exactly. She has bars when she feels like spitting them, a beautiful husky alto when she feels like crooning, and a profound connection to multiple styles of club music that’s borne of her history as a dancer. It’s become a bit trendy to nod to vogue & ballroom culture in the last few years, but while Drake’s Big Freedia feature on “Nice for What” feels a little forced, Taylor can walk it like she talks it. A dancer by trade, her comfort in the ballroom is palpable.

Ye keeps it simple, remaining comfortably in his wheelhouse and flipping excellent soul samples such as Billy Stewart’s “I Do Love You” (which he repurposes into a nostalgic 4/4 slapper on “Hold On”) and The Stylistics’ “Because I Love You, Girl” (which he expands into a melancholy mediation on the horn section of the original). It’s a welcome return to form.

3. Kacey Musgraves: Golden Hour. In her SNL performance earlier this year, Kacey Musgraves appeared as a flat-ironed, longhair disco queen. As she slayed Golden Hour’s catchy lead single “High Horse,” I was reminded of Dolly Parton. I’ve been spending a lot of time with Dolly’s mid-70s and early-80s catalogue this past year, having purchased vinyl copies of All I Can Do, New Harvest…First Gathering, and Dolly, Dolly, Dolly. Parton is one of those artists whose discographies are so gigantic as to seem practically impenetrable, so I’ve been trying to hear as much as I can. Dolly, Dolly, Dolly is an especially interesting entry: released in 1980, it was her 23rd album, and it represents a pretty clear swing for crossover success. A handful of the tracks are straight-up disco, and these are what Musgraves called to mind. I was thrilled – Dolly’s disco experiments were widely panned, but I think there’s a lot of good there, maybe Golden Hour would be an attempt to vindicate Parton’s vision?

Unfortunately or not, I was incorrect. In total, Golden Hour bears more resemblance to Dolly’s friend & frequent collaborator Emmylou Harris (Kacey’s hair should’ve tipped me off, SMH). It’s a beautiful, understated, and thoughtful set of songs that could fit as well on a folk radio station as a country one. Like Harris, Musgraves has an innate sense of how to let a great song be great, hanging back in both arrangement and vocal performance. She’s emotive when she needs to be (“Rainbow”), and contemplative as needed (“Golden Hour”), always letting her writing breathe. Also, she has the confidence to bury the lead single so deep on Side B that you almost forget it’s there (and are thrilled when it is). As a person who prefers the full album experience to that of a shuffled playlist, this is one of my very favorite tricks.

Quite simply: great songs + great arrangements = a surprising list-topper for me.

2. Blood Orange: Negro Swan. For years, the roles of sexuality and gender in black identity have been foci of Dev Hynes’ work as Blood Orange. He spent time with drag queens and sex workers while writing his debut album Coastal Grooves, and has often cited transgender icon Octavia St. Laurent as one of his primary influences. But while these interests have colored his previous albums, on Negro Swan they’re the bedrock. In a press release preceding the album, Hynes described the album as “an exploration into my own and many types of black depression, an honest look at the corners of black existence, and the ongoing anxieties of queer/people of color. A reach back into childhood and modern traumas, and the things we do to get through it all. The underlying thread through each piece on the album is the idea of hope, and the lights we can try to turn on within ourselves with a hopefully positive outcome of helping others out of their darkness.”

These ideas are fundamental to the songwriting, and they’re reinforced by snippets of conversations with Janet Mock and Kai the Black Angel (who adorns the cover in a durag and angel wings) peppered throughout the album’s 49 minutes. On “Family,” Mock defines community as “the spaces where you don’t have to shrink yourself, where you don’t have to pretend or to perform, you can fully show up and be vulnerable in silence, completely empty, and that’s completely enough.” That search for community, the desire to be seen and loved and supported as your whole self informs each of these beautiful songs. Already a competent producer, Hynes continues to grow, selecting beautiful flourishes like the jangly, perfectly out-of-tune guitar on “Charcoal Baby” or the soft, echoing snare drum on “Dagenham Dream” to characterize the thematic content of each piece. Negro Swan is a powerful and complete work of art. It sounds like he’s finally found some answers to the questions he’s been asking.

1. Dirty Projectors: Lamp Lit Prose. On Lamp Lit Prose, David Longstreth appears to be having more fun making music than he has in years, probably because almost 100% of his band has turned over (kudos to longtime bassist Nat Baldwin, whose playing tethers him to his own beginnings). Beyond the new Projectors themselves, Longstreth spent the months during the writing of the album making new friends in the LA music scene, and bringing them around the studio to record various parts. Members of Haim contribute to album standout “That’s a Lifestyle,” Syd (of The Internet) anchors the refrain in “Right Now,” and Fleet Foxes’ Robin Pecknold and Vampire Weekend alumnus Rostam Batmanglij stack harmonies onto the swirling ballad “You’re The One.”

I see LLP as the second half of a diptych begun by the self-titled Dirty Projectors, released last year. While that record wallowed in the pain of a broken relationship with former Projector Amber Coffman, LLP reveals a healed and newly in love protagonist. Both records feature David Longstreth at his most vocally competent: he’s now able to truly execute the melismatic R&B runs he lovingly wrote and charmingly attempted in his earliest work, his diaphragm now supports his every leap and bound, and his croon is sweeter than ever before. But furthermore, both albums expand on ideas that have popped up throughout his illustrious and impressive body of work. Whether he’s reviving the Rise Above era blasts of noisy guitars on “Zombie Conqueror” or revisiting the orchestral ambitions of The Getty Address on the stunningly soulful “I Wanna Feel It All,” Longstreth sounds like a worker with a complete toolbox and a detailed blueprint. He’s been working at honing his craft for years.

I saw the Projectors in June, at a time when only “Break-Thru” and “That’s a Lifestyle” had leaked. I didn’t know what to expect, being among the seemingly small minority of fans who liked their previous record. But their set was staggering. Flanked by his group of mostly-new faces, Longstreth was bouncing all over the place, proudly showcasing each instrumentalist & vocalist (seemingly everyone had at least one moment in the spotlight), visibly excited about playing with this group of people. And that makes sense: LLP is Longstreth relishing the fundamental glee of musical collaboration. The joy is positively bubbling over in tracks like “Right Now,” “I Feel Energy,” and “I Found it in You.” To see him play these songs live is to wonder if he’s talking about the act of musicmaking itself when he sings: “Ask now, I’m in love for the first time ever.”

4 notes · View notes

okashiras · 6 years

Text

Summary: A comprehensive collection of online articles, magazine clippings, etc. documenting the dating history of pop stars, Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura.

(AU in which the K in Kpop means 'Konoha.')

Note: Possible anachronisms are my mistake, and I invoke artistic license for things that may get too unrealistic. Thanks!

All persons and companies are fictitious and any resemblance to existing persons and companies is purely coincidental. Kinda.

Special thanks to @lilmikomiko and @hobok!

ao3 link

2006

KAGE is Konoha’s New Exciting Boy Group

08/29/2006

Kage have emerged as an unstoppable force in the Konoha pop scene, and now the group is already on their way to take over the world. Its two main tracks, “Beasts” and “I’m on My Way” landed on the number 1 and 2 spots on all major music charts on Konoha and abroad, while the rest of the tracks on the album “Jutsu” are on the top 20. The group’s four music videos on their YouTube channel have already amassed nearly 200 million views and counting.

The five members—Hyuuga Neji, Sai, Inuzuka Kiba, Uchiha Sasuke, and Uzumaki Naruto—all helped write and produce the songs on their album.

Kage is KG Entertainment’s first idol group. The label previously specialized in hip-hop and more experimental soloists and groups, so the decision of debuting a pop group was met with either eyebrow-raising incredulity or feverish anticipation.

“There was certainly a huge amount of pressure from both sides—from the ones who anticipate because we don’t want to let them down, and from the ones rooting for us to fail because we want to prove them wrong,” said leader Hyuuga Neji. “But we simply channeled the anxiety and frustration into working hard to make an excellent debut.”

Kage’s debut also came at the most opportune time. Konoha’s pop music is on the rise and is being recognized all across the great nations. “I think it’s pretty cool that our music is reaching other countries! Kinda makes you realize what they say about music’s power to connect everybody,” shared Uzumaki Naruto, the mood-maker and the youngest of the group.

With a world tour currently planned, Kage really would be able to connect more with their fans. The group is set to visit 6 countries and play 30 shows. 500,000 people are expected to attend. Now, that’s something to look forward to.

In the meantime, see the profiles of the members below:

NEJI

Real Name: Hyuuga Neji Role: leader, lead vocals, visual Birth Date: 3 July Sign: Cancer Blood Type: O Height: 184 cm Instruments: Piano

SAI

Real Name: Anbu Sai Role: vocals Birth Date: 25 November Sign: Sagittarius Blood Type: A Height: 176 cm Instruments: Flute

KIBA

Real Name: Inuzuka Kiba Role: main dancer, vocals Birth Date: 7 July Sign: Cancer Blood Type: B Height: 173 cm Instruments: Guitar

SASUKE

Real Name: Uchiha Sasuke Role: rapper, songwriter, producer Birth Date: 23 July Sign: Leo Blood Type: AB Height: 182 cm Instruments: Piano, Bass Guitar

NARUTO

Real Name: Uzumaki Naruto Role: rapper Birth Date: 10 October Sign: Libra Blood Type: B Height: 180 cm Instruments: Drums

banana_dolphin · 8 years ago Nobody can rock a crop top like Sai does

KXGE · 8 years ago WORLDWIDE KINGS OF POP

uksem · 8 years ago sasuke put a shirt on. jk don’t

Vaccuum · 8 years ago I’m a dude but Neji is more beautiful than half the girls I dated

NaNaNa · 8 years ago NARUTO IS SO CUTE!!!!

crentist · 8 years ago Wonder what shampoo Neji uses

Catherine · 8 years ago Kiba is like a puppy who will bite you sometimes but it’s ok cuz u love him~

EMO_gee · 8 years ago I would die for Sasuke.

7 Facts You Didn’t Know About Uchiha Sasuke // PopFire

With the debut of KGE’s hot new boy group KAGE, you must be dying to learn more about the members! Let’s start off with the charismatic and dangerously sexy, Uchiha Sasuke. :*

Uchiha Itachi of the legendary 2nd generation group Akatsuki is his older brother. (Handsome bros <3)

He trained with Oto Entertainment for 2 years before transferring and debuting under KG.

The Sharingan Group is a conglomerate owned and founded by Uchiha Madara, Sasuke’s grandfather, making him an heir. (OMG!! Sounds like the beginning of a drama plot XD)

Sasuke’s family has also taken over the film industry through his cousins, Uchiha Obito, an up-and-coming film and music video director, and Uchiha Shisui, an actor known for his role in ‘Crows.’

He has said that if he wasn’t a singer, he would probably pursue a career in the arts. We may have an idea where this interest comes from. His mother, Uchiha Mikoto, is a renowned contemporary art curator and commissioner. (Probably a Mama’s boy ^^)

Despite his high-class background, according to interviews, his preferences are quite simple. His favorite food are tomatoes and fish flakes, and he loves camping.

He has also ventured in the underground rap scene in his teenage years under the name “Taka.” Among his colleagues are Sui, Juu5, and Karin who have appeared as contestants in popular rap competition “Show Me What You Got.”

2007

KUNOICHI’s Debut: New KG Girl Group Makes Major Moves on the Charts

It has only been a month since Kunoichi debuted but they’re already slaying the charts.

See also: Kage’s Uzumaki Naruto names Jiraiya and Killer B as his major influences in Video Star episode

The quartet—consisting of Sakura, Ino, TenTen, and Hinata—made their official debut with two singles, “Bloom” and “Mindblower.” Both tracks debut on World Digital Songs Chart at numbers 1 and 2 respectively.

Kunoichi is only the fourth Konoha act to hit number 1 on World Digital Songs Chart, joining Akatsuki, Tsunade, and Kage.

Get to know the girls behind the chart topper hits.

SAKURA

Birth name: Haruno Sakura Nickname: Forehead Girl Position: leader, main rapper, vocalist, songwriter Birthday: 28 March Zodiac Sign: Aries Birthplace: Konoha Height: 165 cm Weight: 45.4 kg Blood Type: O Some Facts about Sakura:

Trained for 5 years.

Signed as a trainee in KG the same year as Kage’s Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto.

Best friends with Ino.

Her favorite foods are syrup-coated anko dumplings, umeboshi, and anmitsu.

Sakura’s ideal type: someone really cool

INO

Birth name: Yamanaka Ino Nickname: Ino-pig Position: main vocalist Birthday: 23 September Zodiac Sign: Libra Birthplace: Konoha Height: 164 cm Weight: 46 kg Blood Type: B Some Facts about Ino:

Trained for 6 years, the longest in the group.

Best friends with Sakura.

Used to part-time in her family’s flower shop during summers.

Her favorite foods are pudding and cherry tomatoes.

Ino’s ideal type: the type to survive on a deserted island

TENTEN

Birth name: Ten Ten Nickname: 1010 Position: main dancer, rapper, sub-vocalist Birthday: 9 March Zodiac Sign: Pisces Birthplace: Konoha Height: 166 cm Weight: 47.3 kg Blood Type: B Some Facts about Tenten:

Trained for 3 years in KG.

Before training in KG, she has appeared in various dance competitions.

Likes fortune-telling.

Her favorite foods are sesame dumplings, Fire Country delicacies

Tenten’s ideal type: a mature, sensible man

HINATA

Birth name: Hyuuga Hinata Nickname: Hinata Position: visual, sub-vocalist Birthday: 27 December Zodiac Sign: Capricorn Birthplace: Konoha Height: 163 cm Weight: 45 kg Blood Type: A Some Facts about Hinata:

Trained for 6 months.

First cousin of Kage’s Hyuuga Neji.

Likes flower pressing.

Her favorite foods are zenzai and cinnamon rolls.

Hinata’s ideal type: nice and lively

alana 7 years ago OH MYGODDDDDD YAAAASSSS QUEENSSSS SLAAAYYY REPLY

Clau_Chi 7 years ago Ino can murder me and I’ll thank her REPLY

d-zine 7 years ago I can’t believe Sakura isn’t the visual cuz she’s so eye-catching with that stunning pretty face and that pink hair REPLY

pau_ 7 years ago tenten’s buns are adorable!!! so is her hair!!! lolol REPLY

SIS10 7 years ago MINDBLOWER IS THE BOP OF THE CENTURY REPLY

2008

KAGE Unveils Titles of First Two Singles of Comeback Album 04/04/2008

KAGE has finally unveiled the title of two tracks on their upcoming comeback album.

See also: Rock Lee on being the rookie to introduce trot music to the youth

To kick off their highly-anticipated return, it has been revealed that the group will be releasing “Will of Fire” and “Endure” this coming July 1, as seen in the brand new teaser posters for KAGE’s ROOTS PROJECT released earlier today.

Also indicated in the teaser posters are the personnel in the production of the tracks. KG Entertainment veteran Hatake Kakashi produce both tracks as he always does for Kage, while all the boys would take turns to write and compose, and the main rappers, Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto would pen their own verses. This time however, one of the writers of the second track “Endure” is none other than Kunoichi’s Haruno Sakura, alongside the group’s primary lyricist Uchiha Sasuke.

Kage leader Hyuuga Neji says of Sakura’s involvement in their album, “Sakura-san was kind enough to gift us a song, to which we are grateful. Its style is unlike anything we have done before and it gears towards a different but interesting direction for us as a group.” Neji adds, “We hope the fans who have supported us up until now will continue to let us show them Kage’s new colors.”

Meanwhile, Kage will be gearing up to start their world tour on October 10 at Konoha Memorial Stadium which would include the tracks from the new album in the setlist. They plan to visit 11 different countries, hold 50 performances, and meet 1.2 million fans.

[+2032, -159] Finally!!!! ㅠㅠ July 1 can’t come fast enough!!!!!!

[+1869, -324] KAGE!!!! ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ I miss them. Can’t wait for the promotions.

[+1575, -197] Sakura must be really close with the boys or at least one of them ㅋㅋㅋㅋ Sasuke, maybe?

[+1187, -108] Which devil do I gotta summon and sell my soul to so I can listen to Endure right now

[+447, -321] Why does Sakura have to be involved? It’s a Kage album... Why not let the other members write instead?

‘Idols Weekly’ Kage Episode Highlights 08/05/2008

Hey, guys! KageYah here. The video for part 1 is already up but it hasn’t been subbed yet. For those of you who can’t wait, here are some highlights of the episode. (Spoiler alert?)

It’s Kage’s second time as guests and hosts Hashirama and Tobirama (mostly Hashi) pretend to be emotional because they say the boys have grown up so well and will probably be really chic and cold now after their international success.

To celebrate this momentous occasion, the hosts said they prepared a red carpet only for Kage.

Finally, the boys enter one by one in the studio driving a toy car on the red carpet.

Kiba tumbled off the car towards the end.

Sasuke was blank-faced the whole time and everyone was laughing.

Hashirama tells the editor to pause a few times for Neji’s footage to give viewers a chance to screenshot him on the car while wind blows on his hair.

After introductions were made, Tobirama asked them what has changed with them in the past two years besides being recognized more. Neji said nothing much and that they are the same. “Yeah, we never learn!” Naruto interjected. Hashi beamed at this saying he was gonna make them talk shit.

Sai: “I was specifically instructed by our CEO to ‘stop talking shit.’ … He didn’t like it when I said that he said he asks for malls to close so he can shop and that we have the same dermatologist among other things. He also didn’t like that I talk about peni—” The members had to cover his mouth for this, lol.

Hashi asked if they got themselves significant others in the past 2 years since they all claimed to be single last time. Neji said that it has gotten more difficult for them somehow because they’re so busy. “Speak for yourself!” Kiba said. He and Naruto were howling.

During a beat, Hashi asked Sasuke, “Sasuke-kun, how’s your grandfather?” Sasuke was all ‘what’??? [T/N: I don’t know either?? He asked this the last time, too.]

Naruto told Hashi to ask Sasuke if he has had a girlfriend. Sasuke replied no. Everyone in the room went crazy with this revelation. Sasuke said, “Nor have any of these guys. I don’t know why they’re celebrating.” [T/N: AHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA!!!!!]

Sasuke: “I take relationships very seriously, so I won’t start anything with anyone unless I feel something very deeply towards them.”

Tobi: “...Damn, suddenly we can’t make fun of him anymore.” Everyone laughed.

Hashi: “You’ll never get married, Sasuke!!!” Sasuke shrugged comically.

Then it’s time for Dancing at Random, where the boys have to dance to their own songs played on shuffle. Whoever is the least synced with the other members by the end will be hit by a toy hammer in the head. The songs played are: Will of Fire, Beasts, Believe It!, and Illusions.

[T/N: I have to say, Kage is at the point of their career where they really don’t give a shit anymore. In other words, they couldn’t remember most of their choreography.]

Despite not remembering their choreography, Kage is still very much synchronized with their idiocy. Except Naruto, the King of the idiot line. The rest of the members wordlessly conspired to betray Naruto so he had to take the hammer in the end.

“I CAN DO THIS!!!” Naruto said as he bowed his head for the hammer. He looked like he was close to tears. “IT HURTS!!!!!!!!”

Hashi and Tobi felt sorry for him and decided to give them a chance to dance to one more song. The plot twist was that it wasn’t a Kage song--it was ‘Bloom’ by Kunoichi.

Another plot twist: everyone nailed the choreography.

Hashi: “This is… really something, you guys.” Tobi: “Naruto, maybe you should ask to be transferred to Kunoichi instead.”

Naruto: “Maybe I should!! Those girls will never betray me!” Naruto said Sasuke would join him if he transfers to Kunoichi not because they’re friends but because… Naruto never got to finish what he was saying because the camera caught Sasuke glaring challengingly which made everyone laugh.

PREVIEW FOR PART 2: apple game, jumping rope??? Sai shows off painting skills??? Why is everyone yelling and bleating like goats???

lightsaver 6 years ago THANK YOU!!! Sounds like a fun episode!! Will be looking forward to the subs. REPLY

TheConspiracy 6 years ago Kage knows Kunoichi choreography but not their own -- priorites, amirite REPLY

miko 6 years ago ^even Sasuke knew the steps to bloom??? what a time to be alive!!! REPLY

belieeeeeeeve 6 years ago Neji is so beautiful!! Soft and bouncy haaaaaair~~ REPLY

saleholic 6 years ago Kage rarely ever does variety but when they do it’s always a riot jdklajfaklfa REPLY

2009

SASUKE MAKES SOLO DEBUT WITH MV FOR BREATHING FIRE 2009-05-15

Uchiha Sasuke releases a brand new single to mark first solo project.

See Also: Dosu-3 drummer Abumi Zaku breaks both arms in an accident

Fresh from the success of his group’s Roots Project and rap subunit SN, with member Uzumaki Naruto, the Kage rapper who is known for the dexterity of his words and dry wit, ditches radio-ready pop for a more experimental raw rock-funk-hip-hop hybrid in his solo debut album “Revolution.”

“Breathing Fire” is about a man’s obsessive pursuit for power that it ends up burning him. The music video is a single take of the camera zooming out to show an empire slowly burning to dust, providing a stunning supplement to an already captivating track.

The release of this single also kicks off a series of shows that Sasuke will be doing around Fire Country and abroad. Tour dates to be announced soon so keep an eye out for them.

In addition to “Breathing Fire,” Sasuke is also set to release a music video tomorrow for “Heavenly Hand” which features a vocal line from Kunoichi member Haruno Sakura who is also busy preparing for her own full-length solo album tentatively set to be released later this year.

Until then, check out the MV for “Breathing Fire” below, and be sure to stick around for more updates on your favorite artists and idols.

[Link]

Source: KG Entertainment

All visual and audio media courtesy of KG Entertainment

Tags: Uchiha Sasuke, KAGE, Haruno Sakura, Revolution, Breathing Fire

usurat0nkach1 5 years ago WHAT AN AMAZING VIDEO!!!!! I consider it as art XD Hoe-kages are so proud of you sasu-chan!! REPLY

GirlType 5 years ago A Sakura feature!!! She seems to be working a lot with them huh. I’m glad she’ll be getting to do her own stuff..but knowing KG it’s probs gonna get delayed til next year. REPLY

TiraMisu 5 years ago this is so different from what he usually does in his group. makes me excited for what his solo album sounds like as a whole. REPLY

[4K] 090723 Sakura and Sasuke talk @ REVOLUTION Concert (+ENG SUB) 931,187 views

doraemin2 Published on July 25, 2009

Revolution concert held at Konoha Stadium Fancam by lala

1,435 comments (sort by)

Pinned by doraemin2 doraemin2 · 5 years ago

Here’s the transcript/translation. Enjoy!

Sasuke: Thank you. Sakura: Thank you, thank you. Ss: Introduce me to the audience. Sk: Everyone, this is Sasuke-kun. Please show him some love! Audience: (cheer) Ss: Thanks. Sk: Sasuke-kun! Ss: Yes. Sk: Do you remember this stage? Ss: Hmm… Sk: You don’t? Ss: Remind me. Sk: We did our first collab stage here. Don’t you remember? Ss: Is that so? Sk: We covered New Paths at the KGE concert! Sasuke-kun! Ss: Hmm… Sk: Gosh, I guess it was too boring that’s why you forgot… Ss: I’m kidding. Of course I remember. Audience: (laugh) Ss: I enjoyed it. Sk: Ah, I’m glad. Audience: (scream) Sk: Wow, this audience is so lively! And there’s so many of you! I’ve never performed in front of this many people. Ss: You’ll get used to it in no time. Sk: You would know, right? Ss: No, it’s my first time as a solo act, too. Sk: Really? You’re amazing. I mean— (inaudible) Audience: (scream) Ss: Not me, the audience. Sk: Both of you, then. Ss: You, too. Audience: (scream) Sk: Um, what else should we talk about... Ss: I should do the hosting since this is my show but it’s a skill I have yet to acquire. But you’re good at this, right? Sk: Well, I— What should I say? Ss: Just treat it as if it were your own. Sk: ‘What’s mine is yours, what’s yours is mine’ kind of deal… Ss: Aa. Audience: (screams) Sk: Everyone, what songs do you want to hear? Audience: (screams) Ss: Well, then. Since Sakura’s here, can we request one more song? Sk: I would love to. Audience: (screams) Ss: What song should we do? Sk: How about we do a Kage song? Ss: Which one? Sk: I can sing anything. I can do Naruto’s parts. Ss: Don’t. Sk: (laughs) Audience: (screams) Ss: Let’s just play one randomly. Sk: Yes! Let’s do it! REPLY 968

tuktuk · 5 years ago both of them…. LEGENDS. both got PAK in their own groups and now as soloists. talented…beautiful….amazing…singers…songwriters….that’s what fans need..=)) name a better duo ill wait..lol REPLY 290

iHartu · 8 months ago THE SEXUAL TENSION IS OFF THE CHARTS!!!!! REPLY 32

Eloise Mercy · 5 years ago both of them are my fave <3 your fancams are the best. thank you for your hardwork. REPLY 156

Adrienne · 3 years ago 1:56 Sasuke making a joke???? 3:47 ARE THEY REALLY FLIRTING OMG !!!!! 4:16 the proposal!??! Oh gosh these two are so cute i can’t REPLY 85

Woe Is You · 5 years ago HOW CAN A GUY BE SO AWKWARD YET SO SMOOTH AT HTE SAME TIMe?>.. gosh i can’t stop smiling.. REPLY 59

9:40 pm - 10/13/2009 JUST A QUICK BLIND ITEMS POST!!!

Top girl group member and rookie actress A is getting some criticism on her acting, with some fans attributing the drama’s failure to her lackluster performance. In addition, viewers are criticizing the circumstances of her debut, noting that while her other members trained for 4 years on average, her training period did not even exceed one year, which led fans to speculate that she was only able to debut due to her connections in her company.

Super boy group member B is rumored to be dating Top girl group member C. Since both are from the same company, their activities have overlapped in addition to having collaborations, leading to developments between the two. Reservations on making this relationship public stem from company pressure, and from B being very high profile, and C, despite being well-loved, is divisive and draws a lot of ire from the public, which could only worsen should the relationship become public.

There’s been a lot of controversy surrounding large company CEO D for trying to recruit already-established stars from other companies, even going as far as extortion.

Tags: blind item

MoMo 13th-Oct-2009 9:45 pm (UTC) God I love blind items but I’m so bad at them. I can never figure them out. reply | thread | link

beauty_mind 13th-Oct-2009 09:48 pm (UTC) A is [Spoiler] reply | thread | link

pineapple 13th-Oct-2009 09:51 pm (UTC) ^was gonna say the same thing lol reply | thread | link

mmmmugz 13th-Oct-2009 09:54 pm (UTC) ^^I’m her fan but I can’t deny this XD reply | thread | link

fixit_felix 13th-Oct-2009 10:01 pm (UTC) Are these really blind items? These are all so obvious… reply | thread | link

Tea_Gardner 13th-Oct-2009 10:05 pm (UTC) 1 I’ll give you a HIN T 2 pink eyeshadow 3 Not sure who this is but ssssssoundssss like a Ssssssnake~~~ reply | thread | link

oystersauce9 13th-Oct-2009 10:06 pm (UTC) ^YESS!!!! I was waiting for you to comment!! Thanks for always coming thru Queen T. reply | thread | link

LavaCake 13th-Oct-2009 10:09 pm (UTC) ^oh b, i knew it. everyone knows c. a is obvious just from watching their live performances alone lol. reply | thread | link

Kwik 13th-Oct-2009 10:15 pm (UTC) ^wait, who’s b??? sasuke sakura??? reply | thread | link

2010

[MV] Sakura _ Silently, Strongly (Feat. Sasuke) 58,381,034 views

KG Entertainment Published on March 27, 2010

29,871 comments (sort by)

KitKat · 4 years ago The short hair suits her so well!! Looks pure REPLY 988

yangming · 4 years ago what an amazing collab! i’m gonna be looking forward to sakura’s solo stuff from now on <3 REPLY 875

Light L · 1 month ago WHO’S WATCHING THIS IN 2014 REPLY 32

Rawrr · 4 years ago Is it me or do thier voices blend well togetrer.? I think they can be a cutie couple XD REPLY 532

[INTERVIEW] 100923 KoKo Magazine: Sakura Throughout

We catch up with Haruno Sakura on her journey as an artist, and beyond.

Q: It’s very difficult to get an interview with you. We wanted to know more about you. Sakura: I like doing interviews but I don’t get that many opportunities to do them. Maybe it’s because my company thinks I thrive in easy-consumption type of media. (laughs)

Q: But you’ve been all around this year and prior. You released your first solo album, you’ve been featured in a few tracks by different artists, and you’ve gotten songwriting credit for a Kage track. What was that like? S: It was a mixture of tenacity and luck. Before debuting, I was insistent that I wanted to write or at least contribute to writing our own material, to the point where I think I annoyed our company. Our CEO said they would only agree if I made a song that they determined would be a hit. So I wrote and wrote every single day, two track ideas at least. Luckily, I got a few songs in and they allowed me. But then I’m left with a heap of material just waiting to be worked on, and counting! It was really just luck that I went to the KG Studios when Kage were throwing ideas around for their comeback. Naruto asked me—maybe as a joke, now that I think about it—if I had anything lying around, and I said I did. I’m just glad they liked it enough to work with it and took a risk even if it sounded different from what they did. That became a starting point where our company decided to take a chance and make me release my own album.

Q: Your album Love Throughout had really good reviews. What did you think about that? Were you expecting it? S: Not at all! I still couldn’t even believe that it exists sometimes, and that I was allowed to do it. I’m really thankful of the warm reception. It makes me want to work harder and better. I hope they’ll let me do it again.

Q: Your collaborations with Kage’s Uchiha Sasuke were also well-received. S: I was honored that Sasuke-kun asked me because ‘Heavenly Hand’ was a lovely song. He was nice enough to return the favor with ‘Silently, Strongly’ on my album. Next time, I’ll be the one to return the favor, and then this exchange will go on forever. Hopefully the fans won’t get tired. (laughs)

Q: What do you wish to do next? S: I would really like to try my hand at producing. I’m currently taking a few courses in music theory and production at KUA (Konoha University of the Arts) because I want to take this seriously. I’m not actually producing anything at the moment but I’ll be ready when it comes. (laughs) If it doesn’t, well, I’m having fun learning, at least.

Q: You seem to be a very disciplined person to manage studies in between activities. In what other ways are you strict towards yourself? S: In many aspects. As a public figure, I’m obligated to maintain an image so I watch my weight and take care of my hair and skin and all that. I’m most strict towards myself with making music. My pre-debut habit of making two song ideas before the day ends has carried on to this day. I have set high standards for myself. I’m pretty sure I have put off some people with how intense I am. (laughs) But I think of being here as a gift and that it’s my duty to work hard to show that I am grateful and worthy of it in return.

Q: Lastly, this question begs to be asked: any news on Kunoichi comeback? S: At the moment, we’re all very busy doing individual activities. I have promotional activities and school at the moment. Ino is working on her own solo album to be released next year which I’m looking forward to. Sprinting Sisters variety show has gotten even funnier since TenTen joined as a member. Hinata’s doing her drama. I still keep in touch with them, especially Ino, and they’re all really pleased with their accomplishments, as I am. We are all looking forward to come back as a group in the near future but in the meantime, we hope Kuchis will support us in our individual endeavors.

Source: KoKo Magazine

Flower Power Wow, she’s out of the KG dungeon for once. She doesn’t get enough interviews? That’s bullshit. She seems very smart and well-spoken. Like · Reply

Girly Tam Lovely, one of a kind gal...please come to Kumo.. Like · Reply

Koneko Nori I’ll never get tired of Sasuke/Sakura collabs!! Please keep them coming. Like · Reply

Kim Ame Thanks for sharing this!! Keep working hard Sakura-chan! We’ll support you! <3 Love, Kuchi Like · Reply

Azumi Kiyo It would be ridiculous of KG to not allow her to have another solo given the success of this one. But it seems she’s not confident of it happening again, which is too bad. Like · Reply

Hana Hime Probably an unpopular opinion, but I prefer Sakura solo than Kunoichi XD Like · Reply

DanDan Soi @Hana Hime no, i feel the same. Like · Reply

Uehara Yu love you.. Like · Reply

2011

Tsunade Talks About Experience Working with Sakura Thursday, 2011 May 20

In a recent interview with local news outlet K-Daily, Tsunade discussed her thoughts and feelings about working with Haruno Sakura (Kunoichi) on her much awaited comeback album after a 5-year hiatus following the death of her husband, Kato Dan.

See also: SuMu Siblings Wrap Up Music Video Shoot in Wind Country

When asked, “Is there a reason you decided to work with Sakura of all the more experienced producers?” the legendary singer commented, “I only met her personally last year but her career has been one of the few that I’ve truly followed and anticipated. When we met, she mentioned that she’s trying to branch out into producing so I invited her to work on my album, and the rest, as they say, is history.”

Tsunade also adds, “She is very comfortable to work with, and it didn’t feel like she was a beginner at all. She has a clear vision of what she wants, and puts her heart into achieving it.”

Even before her comeback, Tsunade’s first single, “Rebirth” got a lot of attention for being written by Kage’s Uchiha Sasuke and composed by Sakura herself. Regarding this, Tsunade reveals she initially didn’t know about the song’s origin when it was brought to the studio.

“I had no idea it was Uchiha’s track and only found out about the fact while working with Sakura. I told her I wanted to have a song that commands and has a lot of energy, the kind that makes you think, ‘Oh! The baddest bitch is back.’ Then when we returned to the studio the next day, she looked like she pulled an all-nighter, but she had the perfect song for me,” Tsunade reveals.

Tsunade says she has yet to meet Sasuke in person, “We haven’t met but the recordings would go back and forth, and he would give notes through Sakura on the kind of feeling that would go with so and so part.”

With the success of ‘Rebirth,’ Tsunade hopes to collaborate again with Sakura and Sasuke in the future.

Source (1, 2)

4 Comments

schwifty · 3 years ago rebirth was by sasuke?? i knew it had his style the moment i listened to it i felt it lol :P +5 | -0

KawaiiFemalePunk · 3 years ago Tsunade, “The baddest bitch is here.” OMG! Excited for this comeback~ +4 | -1

nuuie · 3 years ago sasuke and sakura pulling aan allnighter??? this is only fueling the dating rumors omg!! p.s. plz do more collabs!! +5 | -3

Anonymous · 1 year ago who the hell does sasuke think he is not coming to meet tsunade in person when she's like 20 years older than him ㅋㅋ you can smell his rotten personality from here. sakura jjang don't hang out w/ trash like him too much~ +1 | -8

FULL INTERVIEW: SASUKE TALKS CREATIVE PROCESS, FEATURES, BEING COMPARED WITH ITACHI + MORE 2011-11-14

Kage member Uchiha Sasuke is this month’s cover artist for K-D magazine. The editor sat down during the photoshoot for an in-depth interview. Check out the translation below.

Q: You look pretty tired even though it’s still morning. Is the photoshoot too early for you? Sasuke: No, it’s fine. I’m just a bit jet-lagged is all.

Q: This photoshoot is highlighting a different side of you—a softer, more natural concept than the ones we normally see you in. Does looking like an idol make you feel uncomfortable? S: No—well, I am an idol. This is the path I have chosen so I should be able to get past any sort of discomfort I would feel on my own. Also, I was told fans seem to enjoy this kind of thing.

Q: Tsunade’s ‘Rebirth’ which was released this year got a lot of positive feedback. What did you think about it, as the one who wrote it? S: It did? That’s great. Tsunade’s distinctive voice has been something that I regarded highly as I was growing up. The song wouldn’t have worked as well had it been sung by anyone else, in my opinion. It’s an honor to have my song sung by her.

Q: You said, “It did?” as though you don’t pay attention to charts. S: I don’t. Not about stuff I did myself at least. Or rather, when I was told that Tsunade liked it, and when I heard the results and was satisfied with it, then that’s all that matters. Not that it’s surprising that it did well; this is Tsunade after all.

Q: That was a cool thing to say... S: Anyway.

Q: You’ve always written your own stuff, and now, aside from collaborations, you’ve started writing songs for other people. How do you know which songs to give away, which songs to use for Kage, and which ones for your solos? S: They aren’t premeditated decisions. When I work on a project, I work with the mindset that I have at that moment so the output would come organically. Although, when I work with Kage, the decisions would be informed by the opinions of the members and mass appeal. When I’m on my own, as I said, I’m less concerned about whether it would chart or not, and more about releasing content that currently speaks to me, or that I’m curious about. There would always be ideas and tracks that wouldn’t work so they’d be put in the back burner until an opportunity arises, which was the case with ‘Rebirth.’ And then there would be songs that would never see the light of day—the ones I keep for myself or for certain people.

Q: Like a significant other? S: Sure.

Q: The last two years have been very eventful for you especially as a solo artist. I heard that not only did you produce your album, but you also participated in its visual concept and direction. What prompted that decision and what was it like? S: It seemed like a natural course of things since I wanted the album to show facets of myself I haven’t shown before. Up until then, we’ve been making decisions as a group and we’ve always trusted Neji’s aesthetic sensibilities in terms of the direction of our visual concepts. It was just something I wanted to try on my own. In working solo, I wasn’t so much worried about looking cool as I was about showing visuals that would effectively complement the tracks. It was like problem solving so I thought it was enjoyable.

Q: Also in the last two years, you have been a featured artist in various tracks from a whole range of artists—there’s ‘Retrieve’ with Shino A; and then there’s ‘Silently, Strongly’ with Sakura with whom you also collaborated on Tsunade’s ‘Rebirth;’ and then if you consider your subunit with Naruto— S: I don’t.

Q: Oh, alright. And then you’re also set to feature on a track on Troublesome’s new album. My question is, is there a reason you do all these features? S: You say it as if I have done so many, but it’s not nearly as much as the featuring offers I’ve gotten. I’m rather selective on which tracks I feature in. I would always consider if I can really be of help to make the song better, if my current mindset matches the tone of the song, and also if I can offer and learn something different from this collaboration. It must be a give-and-take, in my understanding. Shino has an interesting turn of phrase in his lyrics; Troublesome has a unique eclectic sound; Tsunade, I’ve already mentioned; and Sakura is incredibly talented and I’d be a complete idiot if I said no to her. It’s burdensome to turn people down but I’d rather be thorough than half-ass these things.

Q: You’re very particular about where you lend your talents to that’s why it always yields good results. Now I understand why people consider you a top idol rapper. Who do you think is your current competition? S: Naruto told me that if I were to encounter a question like this, I should answer his name. So my answer is no comment.

Q: Are you at all competitive? S: With rapping, not anymore. There’s a prejudice against idol rappers that they’re somehow less legitimate than those in the underground scene, so they’re upheld to a different standard anyway. It’s futile to compete. Frankly, I’m not interested in it. As it is now, rapping is just a means to an end for me. I’m more concerned about making good music that reflects who I am, what I care about.

Q: Ever since you debuted, you have been compared with your brother Itachi of Akatsuki. What is your opinion on this? S: I knew it would be inevitable from the start even if I tried to distance myself and debuted in a different company. The admiration I feel for my brother even from before he debuted remains, so I’m not resentful at all. But I think our directions are different. Itachi has surpassed being a musician to being an icon. His influence extends to fashion, lifestyle, art, business, and such. I’m just trying to make good music. I’m flattered by the comparison but I would prefer to be viewed in a different light.

Q: Lastly, any hopes for the next 2-3 years? S: Be more courageous.

Source: K-D

Tags: Uchiha Sasuke, KAGE

susan00 3 years ago Thanks for translating and sharing !! I got a copy of this issue on Konoha Airport but I haven’t read ;; Thanx so much !! ^^ REPLY

eyelids 3 years ago “Q: Like a significant other? S: Sure.” DID HE JUST??? ADMIT HE HAS A S/O???? REPLY

yacchaU 3 years ago ^maybe he was being sarcastic? I can never really tell with his tone….. REPLY

Fantasy 3 years ago I love how he doesn’t give a shit. REPLY

ROOT_BABY 3 years ago when he said he can’t say no to sakura,, XD REPLY

mandrake 3 years ago ^MAN SHUT THE FUCK UP REPLY

2012

KG Entertainment CEO Danzo laughs off Sasuke and Sakura dating rumors. 2012-02-15

Photos recently surfaced on various social media sites of what appears to be Uchiha Sasuke (Kage) and Haruno Sakura (Kunoichi) in a grocery mart, in an attempt to spark up dating rumors.

Despite the fact that these dating rumors would usually fizzle out after a few days, KG was quick to dismiss them with an incredulous scoff. CEO Shimura Danzo himself spoke to various news outlets: “It’s utterly ridiculous. The reports are merely unfounded rumors.”

A representative from the company spoke of the photos, “Kage went to Wave Country last year for a world tour and Sakura was a guest performer at the time. They had a free day and decided to go out as a group, including PD’s and managers. ” They added, “Our company prides itself in having talents that treat each other as they would their families and friends. Rumors like this would only hurt that.”

[+876, -681] Can’t these people go out without having everyone all up in their business? Gosh, let them be.

[+765, -469] KG was quick to dismiss the rumors. A little too quick if you ask me… ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

[+519, -145] He seems to treat her like a younger sister. I doubt this is romantic. It’s probably weird for them to date within the company.

[+202, -347] Whatever, I still think they’d be cute together.

[+194, -431] Great! Now when is he gonna confirm NaruSasu ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

[ARTICLE] What does KG mean to Sasuke?

“We’re a family… is what I’m supposed to say contractually. In reality, it’s just a workplace.”

SOURCE: KonohaAll via punnie

[+619, -13] I know Sasuke’s joking but it felt refreshing to me as a fan ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

[+534, -19] Even if he was joking, you know what they say, jokes are half-meant

[+268, -8] I wonder if Sasuke being petty like this has anything to do with Danzo not letting him and Sakura date by dismissing those rumors immediately ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

[+153, -3] KGE used to be nurturing with their artists but it became all business once Danzo became CEO

[+42, -5] Hul… Then just leave the company if you think it’s such a chore ㅋㅋㅋ not like you need the money since you already have your trustfund

Are Haruno Sakura and Uchiha Sasuke dating? August 21, 2012

Haruno Sakura and Uchiha Sasuke are longtime friends and songwriting partners, but could their relationship be blooming into something more?

Fans are determined to prove it.

KG representatives have previously denied the existence of this relationship which seemed to quiet the rumors down for a while, but they were sparked anew after Haruno Sakura uploaded a photo on her Instagram. The photo is taken in a park and featured a blurry man’s pair of legs. Seems innocuous, right? It could be anyone!

However, a few minutes later, Uchiha Sasuke uploaded a photo that looks like it was taken on the same park. Fans kept noting the similar bench, light posts, and trashcan, and deduced that they must be together. Some more meticulous fans even went as far as zooming in on one of the trashcans to reveal what was supposedly the reflection of two people who are believed to be Sasuke and Sakura. Almost immediately, Sasuke removed the picture which only added more fuel to the fire.

Back in March, Uchiha Sasuke discussed being in the middle of relationship rumors in an episode of Video Star: “There are pros and cons to admitting. Because I’m a celebrity, being in a relationship with me would potentially do more harm than good. Although the public has a right to know whether or not I’m dating someone, I have no obligation to disclose anything.”

So it looks like we won’t be able to have any kind of confirmation (affirmative or negative) anytime soon.

“There’s nothing to confirm because there’s nothing going on. If that blurry blob of whatever really was them, then so what? They could be just hanging out. It’s not impossible for a man and a woman to just be friends/workmates,” reasoned one K-netizen.

On the other camp, fans are going wild.

“ok am i thE ONLY ONE WHO WANTS THIS TO BE TRUE?!?!?!! i’ve seen their stages and i think they’d be a cute couple!!!! #confirmthisrelationship #please,” another K-netizen exclaimed.

More evidence? Back in 2011, when Sakura collapsed after Kunoichi’s concert in Konoha Arena, Kage were in the middle of promotional activities in Earth Country, but the day after, Sasuke (and Naruto) were already back in Konoha. Some people even claim spotting Sasuke bringing a pillow to Konoha General Hospital where Sakura was confined. In addition, recently Sakura has been spotted visiting the Leaf Gallery where Uchiha Mikoto (Sasuke’s mother) is a director. The two seem to be very friendly based on the photos Mikoto posted on her Instagram page.

But for all we know, this could all be just a huge coincidence and that they really are just friends.

What do you guys think?

lililala · August 21, 2012 I think people need to mind their own damn business.

TeaTime · August 21, 2012 obviously, the real reason as to why he took the post down is because it messes up his ig feed aesthetic.

Lee_Ann > TeaTime · August 21, 2012 lol tru!!

GumGum3x · August 21, 2012 This rumor has gone on for too long for it to not be true. But yeah, we need to leave them alone and let them confirm it if they ever decide to.

fabcat94 · August 21, 2012 WHAT NOOOOO!!!! SASUKE X NARUTO FOREVERR

avvkvvard · August 21, 2012 He wouldn’t have deleted it if it didn’t mean anything

FrannyZ · August 21, 2012 Still praying this is true tbh~

2013

REVIEW: Sakura’s Courage braves into more adventurous sounds, more intimate songwriting angles 31-Mar-2013

Up to this point, the Konoha pop scene has often been disregarded for producing fluff pieces that would always shy away from hard-cutting themes. Sakura’s appropriately titled sophomore offering Courage is a bold example of stepping up to the challenge by baring her doubts and vulnerabilities, and finding comfort in the person underneath it all. With the sonically diverse musical styles experimenting with folk, electronica, R&B, and classical music, Courage’s sound echoes the complexity of the artist within Sakura.

When Sakura softly sings, “Women have to be strong in order to survive,” on the title track Courage, even with a distinctive, almost tremulously emotive voice, it was no soft declaration, and it sets the tone for the rest of the album.

Having debuted as one-fourth of Kunoichi, KG Entertainment’s first girl group fresh after the overwhelming international success of its flagship group Kage, she has been thoroughly judged by the public through a microscope since she was 19. In the years following their debut, she was often mocked for her appearance and presentation, and their group’s success was often questioned as only riding on the coattails of the boy group before them. Moreover, she is involved in an ongoing “dating scandal” with a member of said boy group.

This preface is a necessary evil because as we now arrive with Courage, we recognize that Sakura’s declaration is no small feat. Sakura addresses the frankly, oddly obsessive level of hatred directed at her in the tongue-in-cheek and drone-like, “And all I do is cry, and all I do is cry, and all I do is cry” hook of Useless repeated ad nauseam, sandwiched in between verses that are a litany of her supposed faults. In addition, the chill-inducing restraint as she sings in a silky voice, “Smile to ease out of a situation / Even if it’s fake,” in Fake Smiles gives the audience a glimpse of what’s underneath the glitter and glamour of the star: a human, working through the anger and hurt all the while having to appear pristine and perfect.

Maturity is certainly a theme in Courage, and in the time between this and Sakura’s debut solo album Love Throughout, she has undergone relationship rumors and scandals. The veracity of these rumors notwithstanding, heartache can be found in Courage, specifically with the songs 181 and Maybe Next Time, about distance and pining. Softly sung with Sakura’s gentle and emotive voice, like a secret—they’re infinitely intriguing.

With Courage, Sakura isn’t afraid to show moments of self-doubt, insecurity, and loneliness. An album like this proves the importance to have musicians explore deeply into themselves and express themselves in compelling ways, to show the humanity underneath all the glossy production, and gorgeous visuals.

8.9/10

Watch: Sakura talks pre-debut + shares songwriting and life advice with a lucky fan

On the June 25 webisode of “The Road of Life,” Haruno Sakura visited a fan who has a dream of becoming a singer-songwriter.

See also: Shino A.’s much buzzed-about collab with indie band Troublesome already in the works

The episode began showing the daily routine of Moegi Kazamatsuri, the fan. Sakura surprised her with a basket of goodies that she handpicked herself, moving Moegi to tears.

Once she had calmed down with Sakura’s words, the two quickly became comfortable with each other, with Moegi saying that she’s usually shy around new people but she felt immediately at ease with Sakura. Moegi began to explain the inferiority complex she feels and how hard it is to break into the industry. “It’s like no matter how much I try to raise myself up, there’s always going to be another wall that I need to overcome,” Moegi said. “At the moment, that wall is the feeling of never having anything good or important to say. People who want to get in the industry all have unique voices and stories to tell. But I don’t even know what I’m trying to be, let alone who I am.”

Hearing Moegi’s words, Sakura empathized because she said she has felt that way at some point, and that she still does every now and then. She began to talk about the rejections she had faced before she was finally signed as a trainee. “I can’t even count how many companies I have tried to audition for,” she laughed. “It was definitely a lot for a 12-year-old. I kept wondering if there was something wrong with me, if maybe people who make it innately have something, and that perhaps I’ll never have it—whatever it is.”

Sakura added, “But performing and writing was something that I have always enjoyed. My mom says I’ve been making up songs ever since I learned how to speak. Being able to express my thoughts is a good release for me. I’m sure you know that feeling.” Moegi agreed.

“As for them being good or important, those standards are too ambiguous and arbitrary. You can never please everybody, so you might as well just do what you think is you—your thoughts, your experiences. You are the only one in the world who is you, so that alone makes you and whatever you say important. I think if there’s at least one person out there who listens and finds something compelling in what I do, then that’s how I know I’ve chosen the right path,” Sakura said.

The conversation took on a lighter note when Moegi started to ask Sakura about her creative process and how she finds inspiration. “I do try to write from experiences, although not in a literal sense,” Sakura explained. “I wrote about “Tearfully pleading in the middle of the night/ Don’t go” in my previous album, but I have never really experienced that when I wrote it. It was more about my hopes at that time. Not that I hope to tearfully plead to someone! (laughs) I mean, I guess I hoped to feel that kind of all-encompassing love towards someone.

“So while Love Throughout was about my hopes, I tried to be as genuine as I can in Courage. The songs here really are my own experiences and thoughts. I tried to be personal and vulnerable in this album, and then tried to find strength in that vulnerability. I think that’s what I was going for,” Sakura added.

This revelation prompted Moegi to ask if the story behind Sakura’s hit ballad “Maybe Next Time” from her latest album really happened to her. “Were you really in mutual pining with someone?” To this, Sakura blushed, “I guess I dug my own grave here! (laughs) It was a situation where we weren’t in the position to pursue anything even if we both wanted to, not at the moment at least.”

As the night ended, Sakura posed for a photo with Moegi before walking her home. The two shared a big warm hug before saying goodbye.

Watch the full webisode here: [LINK]

Hansum · 226 posts Posted 28 June 2013 - 4:08 AM just from the text, it seemed like a deep and insightful conversation especially from an idol. I love what she said about being good and important, speaks a lot abt her as a person :’>

nyaachu · 8,045 posts Posted 28 June 2013 - 4:10 AM (Edited by nyaachu 28 June 2013 - 4:29 AM) Sakura is Amazing. An Angel. Nation’s First Love. EDIT: who’s willing to bet she was talking about Sasuke in the end

uranusas · 156 posts Posted 28 June 2013 - 4:08 AM i always wonder how real is the road of life ? i mean how she can act surprised and not notice when she can see the camera all around the room . seems scripted ..

RockLeeLuvr29 · 3,101 posts Posted 28 June 2013 - 7:59 AM She’s so wise&mature,for someone her age.Hope that fan had a lot of fun w/ her ^^ @nyaachu, u think??

2014

Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura Caught Up in Dating Rumors Once Again + Affiliates Respond

Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura are caught up in dating rumors once again, and sources close to the two idols finally respond.

On an online community, one exchange student reported that Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura were spotted together in Snow Country. Haruno Sakura was there from February 9 to 12, while Uchiha Sasuke was seen on February 13. Some outlets reported seeing the two together in Kazahana, before returning to Konoha separately with a three-day gap between their flights.

On February 20, Haruno Sakura’s affiliates stated, “Haruno Sakura had promotional activities for the movie ‘The Strong 100’, where she is set to appear in. The schedule was tight and it would have been impossible to meet with Uchiha Sasuke. The two are not dating.”

Uchiha Sasuke’s camp also denied the rumors stating, “Mr. Uchiha went to Snow Country for a project, not to meet Ms. Haruno.”

This is not the first time that dating rumors about Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura have surfaced. However, while rumors in the past have been denied by their label KGE, this is the first time that sources from the two idols have outright denied it.

Source: (1) (2) (3)

theorem 1 month ago Well, there goes the dating rumors. I don’t think Sakura’s people would cover it up but they really outright denied it this time. REPLY

BINGOOO 1 month ago a project?? could it be *wedding bells* they only said they’re not dating because what if they’re actually already engaged lol XD i can dream right oTL REPLY

DoritoLocoLover 1 month ago Keep denying it and date in peace. REPLY

Mind-Blown 1 month ago maybe they really were dating all this time but then they broke up in Snow that’s why they announced that they weren’t dating anymore TT.TT REPLY

bitter_queen 1 month ago god, leave them alone. they should start suing whoever starts these rumors. REPLY

Pessimiss 1 month ago Still hoping it’s true… Silently and strongly… REPLY

BREAKING: UCHIHA SASUKE AND HARUNO SAKURA TO GET MARRIED LATER THIS YEAR

March 30, 2014

The two debuted as members of groups Kage and Kunoichi under KG Entertainment and have since gone on to work as solo artists.

Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura are to be married on November 5 later this year according to the statement released by their agency.

Below is the full translated statement:

“Greetings! This is KG Entertainment. We would like to extend our gratitude to the fans who have shown a lot of love for our own Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura. Moreover, we would like to ask for everyone’s understanding as we announce the news of their engagement. They will be having a wedding on the 5th of November this year and it will be a private affair between two families and some of the couple’s closest friends. The best gift we can offer the new couple in their upcoming union is to respect their wishes. As always, thank you for your understanding.”

The engagement has been a huge trending topic since it was announced yesterday. The two have since left messages on their respective fan pages.

Sakura writes: “I have known Sasuke-kun since we were young and even as trainees, I’ve carried such deep respect and admiration for him. It was a huge honor to grow alongside him, not only as a colleague but also as a friend after all these years, and it makes me look forward to spending the future together with him. As nervous as I am at the moment, I still hope your support and love for me up until now will extend to my soon-to-be husband—I still can’t get over the thrill of saying this—as well. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Sasuke writes: “The last five years have been the most tumultuous of my life, but Sakura has been there to ground me, as she always has. I have been wanting to speak about our relationship earlier but out of courtesy to Sakura and her family, I had to proceed with caution. It’s not just about me anymore, and there’s no one else I’d want to continue this journey with other than Sakura. With this news being made public, I trust everyone’s understanding and support, if not for me then for my future wife. Thank you.”

Twitter went wild with the news, making #SasuSakuCouple trend worldwide with happy reactions about the engagement.

Check out some of the best responses about the pair’s upcoming nuptials. Congratulations, Sasuke and Sakura!

Kimmy @gh0ulfriend When you expected a dating confirmation but you got a wedding confirmation #sasusakucouple 6:38 AM - March 30, 2014

cool anna @mrsucuzinu me: *logs into twitter* news: uchiha sasuke and haruno sakura are getting married me: *dies* 7:23 AM - March 30, 2014

Bad Little Girl @byungie I can’t believe Sasusaku invented Marriage and ended all idol couples :)))) 7:23 AM - March 30, 2014

sparrow @lyring THEY DENIED THEY WERE DATING LAST MONTH CUZ THEY TECHNICALLY WEREN’T DATING ANYMORE THEY WERE ALREADY ENGAGED DON’T TOUCH ME!!!!1 UNFOLLOW ME NOw!!11 7:44 AM - March 30, 2014

hayzzze @takataka I don’t even think i’m gonna be this excited for my own engagement 8:05 AM - March 30, 2014

kage_facts @KAGEFACTSS WE’RE ALL GETTING MARRIED!!!!! 8:12 AM - March 30, 2014

END

#fic poop #WHATEVER!!!!!!#sasusaku #ssfanfiction #kpop au

292 notes · View notes

brokehorrorfan · 7 years

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Best New Horror Movies on Netflix: Autumn 2017

There's an overwhelming amount of horror movies to sift through on Netflix, so I've decided to take out some of the legwork by compiling a list of the season's best new genre titles on Netflix's instant streaming service.

Please feel free to leave a comment with any I may have missed and share your thoughts on any of the films you watch. You can also peruse past installments of Best New Horror Moves on Netflix for more suggestions.

1. The Void

Not afraid to wear its influences on its sleeve, The Void is a fun amalgam of genre favorites such as The Thing, Hellraiser, Prince of Darkness, The Beyond, and Assault on Precinct 13, along with a healthy dose of H.P. Lovecraft for good measure. The '80s inspiration is furthered by a plethora of practical effects and a pulsating, John Carpenter-esque synthesizer score. Set in the most understaffed hospital since Halloween 2, a small group of people fight to survive against Lovecraftian monsters and cultists. A lot of the plot points are familiar, but the astonishing effects are more than enough to make it feel fresh and exciting.

2. The Transfiguration

Like a modern take on George A. Romero's Martin, The Transfiguration is a subversive vampire film. It's also an urban coming-of-age tale with social commentary. The plot concerns an adolescent boy (Eric Ruffin, The Good Wife) who is a practicing vampire in New York City. Not just an avid watcher of horror films - although he name-checks plenty of them - he partakes in murder to drink blood. He begins to question his outlook on life when he befriends a girl who's also an outcast (Chloe Levine, The Defenders). Although largely a somber, dramatic film, there are a couple of truly shocking moments. Due to how raw and real it feels, this one will stick with you.

3. The Devil's Candy

Written and directed by Sean Byrne (The Loved Ones), The Devil's Candy combines elements of haunted house, demonic possession, and home invasion movies, all with a lean toward heavy metal music. It follows a struggling artist (a nearly unrecognizable Ethan Embry, Can’t Hardly Wait), his wife (Shiri Appleby, Roswell), and their teenage daughter (Kiara Glasco, Map to the Stars) as they move into a new home. Meanwhile, the house's disturbed former resident (the great Pruitt Taylor Vince, Constantine) returns, and he takes a liking to the young girl. It's akin to a 1970s slow-burner with modern sensibilities. The restrained approach allows the audience to become more invested in the characters, building toward an unpredictable and emotionally draining final act. Read my full review of the film here.

4. A Dark Song

A Dark Song is an engrossing slow-burn horror film predominantly told with two actors in one location. The story involves a grieving woman (Catherine Walker, Ferocious Planet) who seeks the aid of an unstable cultist (Steve Oram, Sightseers) to perform an elaborate ritual that allows you to ask a guardian angel for a favor. She wants her deceased child back, but this is far from a Pet Sematary retread. It's all about the build-up, with some genuinely creepy moments along the way before it culminates in a tense finale. Irish writer-director Liam Gavin makes a powerful debut anchored by strong performances.

5. What Happened to Monday

What Happened to Monday is set in the not too distant future, when a strict one-child policy is enforced in an effort to preserve the planet. Noomi Rapace (Prometheus) stars as septuplets, who hide from the government by sharing a life; each one only goes out during the day of the week for which they’re named. When Monday disappears, the other six siblings must track her down before someone else does. Rapace wonderfully diversifies the seven parts, and it's quite impressive to see them all seamlessly interacting with one another in the same shot. Willem Dafoe (Spider-Man) plays the girls' grandfather who raised them, while Glenn Close (Fatal Attraction) is the head of the agency stripping families of their children. Tommy Wirkola (Dead Snow) directs some superb action sequences in this sci-fi mystery thriller.

6. American Fable

American Fable is true to its name, often playing out like something of a dark fairy tale in the country’s heartland, but its fantastical elements largely take a backseat to a rural drama with mystery/thriller elements. Writer-director Anne Hamilton, who got her start as an intern on Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life, makes a dynamic feature debut. Set in the 1980s, the story revolves around Gitty (Peyton Kennedy, Odd Squad), an 11-year-old girl with an affinity for storytelling. She finds herself in a real-life fairy tale upon discovering a man (Richard Schiff, The West Wing) imprisoned in a silo on her family's struggling farm. The picture is an admirable American complement to Guillermo del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth; not only are their stories thematically analogous, but they also share a similar horned creature. Read my full review of the film here.

7. Here Alone

Here Alone is a zombie movie in which the zombies are almost never on screen - and that's not a bad thing. It depicts the hardships Ann (Lucy Walters, Power) must endure and the elaborate precautions she must take in order to survive, weaving between two different points in time: early in the apocalypse with her husband (Shane West, A Walk to Remember) and their baby, and the present when she befriends a fellow survivor (Adam David Thompson, Mozart in the Jungle) and his teenage daughter. Director Rod Blackhurst (Amanda Knox) delivers a subtle, dramatic character piece with shades of The Walking Dead by crafting dynamic characters backed by engaging performances.

8. Little Evil

Tucker and Dale vs Evil writer-director Eli Craig returns to horror-comedy with Little Evil. Having perfected his deadpan delivery on Parks and Recreation, Adam Scott makes awkward an artform as a man who believes his new wife's (Evangeline Lilly, Lost) 6-year-old son is the literal Antrichrist. The supporting cast, underutilized as they may be, is also great, including Bridget Everett (Patti Cakes), Clancy Brown (The Shawshank Redemption), Tyler Labine (Tucker and Dale vs Evil), Donald Faison (Scrubs), and Sally Field (Forrest Gump), who is Craig's mother. The most obvious influence is The Omen - it's even name-dropped in the movie - but there are also references to the likes of Poltergeist, Ghostbusters, Children of the Corn, Rosemary's Baby, Child's Play, and The Shining. It's not always laugh-out-loud funny, but it remains entertaining throughout.

9. Patchwork

Patchwork is like a modern take on Frankenhooker with a dash of Re-Animator for good measure. It may not be as masterful a blend of horror and comedy as those '80s classics, but it's delightfully absurd just the same. It also offers a bit of social commentary, namely regarding the issues modern dating women face. Three girls - stuck up Jennifer (Tory Stolper), naive Ellie (Tracey Fairaway, Hellraiser: Revelations), and weird Madeline (Maria Blasucci) - are murdered, sewn together, and brought back to life by a mad scientist. They must learn to coexist in the same body in order to exact revenge. Cleverly conceived by director Tyler MacIntyre (Tragedy Girls), the girls are portrayed as one Frankenstein-ed creature in some shots and as three individual women in others.

10. Death Note

While purists decry the changes that Death Note made from the popular Japanese manga on which it's based, those with an open mind (or, like me, unfamiliar with the source material) ought to enjoy this Netflix original film. A book labeled Death Note literally falls from the sky to the feet of Light (Nat Wolff, Paper Towns), granting the high school student the power to take the life of anyone whose name he writes inside. Quickly realizing its power without fully recognizing the responsibility, Light dishes out vigilante justice remotely, killing criminals and becoming a worldwide phenomenon. Also mixed up in it are Light's love interest (Margaret Qualley, The Leftovers), his detective father (Shea Whigham, American Hustle), a mysterious man trying to catch him (Lakeith Stanfield, Get Out), and Ryuk (Willem Dafoe, Spider-Man), the monstrous keeper of the book. There's a definite sense that the story has been condensed, things may have been lost in translation, and the fast pacing takes away from the weight of the situation. It may not be a highlight of his filmography, but director Adam Wingard (Blair Witch, You’re Next) delivers a fun, stylish movie with some gory, Rube Goldbergian deaths a la Final Destination.

Bonus: Castlevania: Season 1

Castlevania is a Netflix original animated series based on the classic Konami video game series. Season 1 consists of only four episodes totaling around 90 minutes, resembling more of an anime film than a show, but it ends without a conclusion to the story. Thankfully, a second season is already in the works. Following the murder of his wife, Dracula summons a scourge of goblins to destroy the region of Wallachia and dismember every person along the way. Trevor Belmont, the last in an infamous family excommunicated for dealing in black magic while slaying monsters, leads the charge to bring down the legendary vampire. It's heavy on exposition, but each episode contains a couple of big action scenes to hold viewers over through the abundance of dialogue. Adult language, violence, and gore are on full display, looking great in old-school-style animation. The series is written by comic book scribe Warren Ellis (Red) and stars the voice talents of Richard Armitage (The Hobbit), James Callis (Battlestar Galactica), and Graham McTavish (Preacher).

#netflix #the void #death note #little evil #the devil's candy #a dark song #castlevania #best of netflix #list #article

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supercultshow · 4 years

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Hello Supercult West! This is Supercult South Bad Movie Professor Cameron Coker (BS in “Hebrew Rock Musicals” with a minor in “Only Hippies Go To Heaven”) and I’m reaching out to you from across the country to help hype tonight’s screening of the 1980 sci-fi musical comedy, The Apple!

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The year is 1975 and Coby Recht, a successful Israeli rock producer, is signed to Barclay Records, led by French producer Eddie Barclay. However, the upstanding Recht was so put off by the villainous business practices in the music industry and his personal experience with Mr. Barclay that he and his wife Iris Yotvat spend six weeks in Paris writing a musical about conformity and rebellion while making use of biblical allegory. In the film, Alphie and Bibi take part in the 1994 Worldvision Song Festival, but despite their superior skill, are defeated by the underhanded tactics of Boogalow International Music and its leader Mr. Boogalow. The duo are then approached by Boogalow and enticed into the seedy underworld of show business and must work together to resist temptation and escape Boogalow’s evil clutches. Recht said it was “supposed to be 1984, but with music.”

It’s like 1984, but with music…and also 10 years later.

Triangles are in this year, darling. Get with it or get out of our way.

OH NO! TRIANGLES!

A large number of the extras and background artists appearing in this musical were cast from the American High School in Berlin. They were reportedly paid about 50 marks per day.

Corporate fascism has never looked so good!

Psst! I think that’s the Apple thing they’ve been talking about this whole time!

“Am I the devil, no, absolutely not. Am I a symbol for the devil? Here, take this pill and stop asking silly questions.”

Um, I prefer my God allegories to be a little more…ya know…lion-y.

THE APPLE IS TEMPTATION! DO YOU GET IT??

Wait, there’s martial arts in this film? Is choreography a martial art??

Let that be a lesson kids. Don’t take drugs. You’ll become a pop star.

Now ask yourself: Is the devil gay because gays are evil or because Satan is in showbiz? Pick your poison, baby, you’re homophobic no matter what.

Recht and his wife created their story for the stage, but the show was too expensive to produce. Recht then heard that his childhood friend Menahem Golan, cousin of Yoram Globus, the very same Golan and Globus that bought Cannon films and with it created such Supercult Classics as Enter the Ninja, American Ninja, Breakin’ 2 Electric Boogaloo, Bloodsport, and the original Highlander, was going to be visiting Israel. One face-to-face meeting later and suddenly The Apple was going to be a movie directed by Menahem Golan himself. Except, perhaps not the movie Recht had originally invisioned. Almost immediately Golan began rewriting the script to add more action and comedy. Yotvat said that Golan was turning the script into “something that was kind of corny,” and Recht stated Golan was making the story “out of touch” and “out of date.”

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Over 1000 singers and 200 dancers auditioned for the film, including a dancer who had heard about the auditions from her fellow students, Catherine Mary Stewart. Recht gravitated to Stewart and even lied to Golan about her singing abilities in order to caster he as Bibi. Meanwhile a film that Recht and Yotvat had expected to cost about $4 million was ballooning to $10 million due to Golan’s wheeling and dealing. Film locales in West Berlin kept getting bigger and more elaborate and Golan was shooting hours of extra footage that would eventually have to be organized and edited. The sequence for the track “Speed” was filmed at the Metropol nightclub, which held the Guinness World record for the biggest indoor laser show at the time. Even though Recht was spending most of his time in London recording the songs, Golan kept demanding that Recht attend shoots in Berlin. Recht recalls arriving on location to a prologue sequence that was suddenly costing $1 million alone to shoot. “He was shooting this part that never ended up on the screen because it was terrible. It was terrible. There was like 15 dinosaurs on the set. I couldn’t believe my eyes.” Nearly everything that could have gone wrong during production did including but not limited to animals getting loose on set, poor singing and dancing being dubbed over or edited together with stunt dancers, Golan nearly getting into a fist fight with the editor Dov Hoenig, and Recht and Yotvat abandoning the production to return to Israel.

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Eventually, however, the film was finished. Catherine Mary Stewart recalls Golan predicting great success for the film, citing the many elements he believed were necessary at that time. After all, it was the 80s and a new wave of elaborate film musicals like Grease, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Fiddler on the Roof, and Supercult classics like Tommy, The Wiz, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show were very ‘in’. Unfortunately, Golan’s predictions didn’t pan out. During the premier at the 1980 Montreal World Film Festival, attendees received vinyl records of the music from the film. By the end some watchers were throwing the vinyl records at the screen. A distraught Golan once said afterward, “It’s impossible that I’m so wrong about it. I cannot be that wrong about the movie. They just don’t understand what I was trying to do.”

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The Apple has been the subject of many a scathing review and bizarre conspiracy theory since. Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick served as choreographers for the Apple, who later went on to produce reality shows like American Idol, Pop Idol, and So You Think You Can Dance prompting some to theorize that The Apple’s Worldvision Song Festival contest predicts the horrors of reality song and dance competitions. At the 1980 Stinkers Bad Movie Awards, The Apple was considered to be one of the worst films the critics had ever seen, but, just to add insult to injury, the film was considered too low profile to be nominated.

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However, the Apple’s 2017 Blue-Ray release the world might have come around to just how so bad it’s good The Apple truly is. Austin Trunick of Under the Radar honored it as “the perfect sort of cult film – unintentionally campy, with an insane premise, great production value, and memorable songs – that most people, once they’ve seen it, spend the rest of their movie-loving lives trying to get it in front of as many other people as possible.” and the Stinkers Bad Movie Awards eventually revised their award listings awarding the Apple wins for worst director and Least “Special” Special Effects and nominations for worst picture, worst song, most intrusive musical score, and worst screenplay.

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The Apple is truly a unique implosion of a film. A simple idea about the corrupt touch of show biz corrupted by the touch of one of the most infamous men of show biz there ever was. A film too ambitious and over-the-top for the people attempting to execute on it and simultaneously too unimaginative to hold an audience. It’s irresistibly camp yet repulsively inept. It’s been called not only the worst disco musical ever made, but possibly the worst movie ever made, period, and it comes in at an unremarkable (at least for our crowd) 20% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Are you ready to taste the forbidden fruit Supercultists? I certainly am.

The power of rock… The magic of space! Supercult West is proud to present, The Apple!

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The Apple Hello Supercult West! This is Supercult South Bad Movie Professor Cameron Coker (BS in “Hebrew Rock Musicals” with a minor in “Only Hippies Go To Heaven”) and I’m reaching out to you from across the country to help hype tonight’s screening of the 1980 sci-fi musical comedy, The Apple!

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freevoidman · 6 years

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All of the questions form the ask except for 16 and 17 because I read the tags 😏😊

yoU FUCK--

Also I guess it’s 15 and 16 bc those are the ones that ask for pics? So ur getting everything but those two instead lmao I can’t read.

1. Song of the year?

Thunderstruck by 2CELLOS (skip ahead to 0:38 for the start of the music, 1:10 for the actual cover). It’s a great cover for a famous song and i’m a sucker for cello-only covers. Plus, it’s a great song to listen to when you want to get some of ur aggression out.

2. Album of the year?

The Persona 5 Original Soundtrack! There’s so much amazing songs from the game, all of them jazzy and catchy and oh my god I love the entire thing. The stuff featuring Lyn’s vocals is especially great!

3. Favorite musical artist / group you started listening to this year?

Hm... there’s not a lot that come to mind, but I guess BTS? I’m not super into their music, and I don’t check out their livestreams and shit where they talk with fans, but their music is pretty sweet!

4. Movie of the year?

UUUUUUUUUUUUUGGH it has to be a tie between IT and Wonder Woman. IT was great on a sheer talent level and, after watching the 90s film, it was a massive improvement and gave the book the justice it deserved. However, Wonder Woman I appreciate because of the hopeful change it might bring to the movie industry and superhero movies, and perhaps lead to less over-sexualization of women in movies.

5. TV show of the year?

Nothing really comes to mind (especially because I don’t really watch TV a lot) but it’d have to be Brooklyn 99. Comedic gold at its finest, and the level of representation is NUTS! I love it!

6. Episode of tv or webisode that defined the year for you?

...y’all’re gonna laugh but it’s fucking Shibboleth from West Wing. We watched the episode in one of my classes and it brought up so much political topical stuff that’s happening in my country, as well as the sheer ridiculousness of what the fuck is happening in the US (as well as unintentional attachments that can form bc I made a stupid level of those with just fictional characters lmao)

7. Favorite actor of the year?

Finn Wolfhard. Not only for his level of talent in Stranger Things and IT, but also just his level of comedic genius outside of films and shows. He’s great, and I can’t wait to see where his talents will lead him next.

8. Game of the year?

WHY MUST YOU TORTURE ME LIKE THIS.

I’d have to give it to Persona 5, though Breath of the Wild and Final Fantasy XV are close. The reason why P5 wins is because I’ve been waiting for this games since 2013 and it delivered on everything I wanted. Meanwhile, BOTW and FFXV were only purchased after they came out and I saw all the reviews, or (in the case of FFXV) was and impulse buy that I didn’t have much faith in. They’re both great games, don’t get me wrong, but my god, Persona 5 delivered of fucking everything I wanted and a bit more.

9. Best month for you this year?

December (and no, I’m not just saying that because that’s the month we’re in). I’ve been accepted into the colleges I really wanted to be accepted into, and Christmas wasn’t that bad. Though I am sick with something right now, it’s definitely not a bad month, and easily the best one I’ve had with all the stress/disappointments of the months prior.

10. Something that made you cry this year?

...getting a bit personal, it was seeing my cousin during Easter. She’s been struggling with drugs and she had a relapse and was completely out of it. She’s got a kid. I was mad as hell and ready to punch her, but I just kind of broke down outside the house once no one could see me.

11. Something you want to do again next year?

...uuuuuhhh I didn’t really do it this year bc of the amount of shit I had to do, but I really, really want to do NaNoWriMo again. It was fun, and I nearly succeeded last year. I was about two thousand words short because I got sick and I want to get the 50k word count for something!

12. Talk about a new friend you made this year

YES HELLO I’M ABOUT TO PRAISE THE HELL OUT OF @yoitssabrinee SO PREPARE YOURSELVES.

Honestly such a sweetheart???? She’s a-fucking-mazing and so strong despite all the bullshit she’s gone through and she’s so freaking nice and caring! Like, I’ve been complaining to her about how I’ve been sick and she’s always like “did you take your meds? Did you drink water? Did you eat?” And it’s so nice and even if our convos are mostly screaming at each other about FFXV fanfics we’re writing it’s SUCH A JOY to see her messages whenever I wake up/am about to go to sleep.

13. How was your birthday this year?

Good! The only negative part was that it was during a school day (typically it falls on Thanksgiving break, but not this year) and I got a lotta good gifts! I certainly can’t complain about it, that’s for sure.

14. Favorite book you read this year?

Catcher in the Rye. It’s very rare that I find a school book that I enjoy, and this hits all my favorite things. It’s a super introspective look on Holden’s life (which is pretty messed up tbh) and his struggles to reconcile with his flaws and the need to be somewhat ‘normal’.

15. What’s a bad habit you picked up this year?

Sort of a bad habit that I’ve continued and haven’t stopped--picking at my skin. Especially scabs and any chapped skin on my lips. I have so many cuts and scars from doing this, and I really need to stop...

18. A memorable meal this year?

I went with my family to some fancy-ass Japanese restaurant with my friend irl before we went to see Hamilton. The food there was tasty as hell, and the experience itself made it incredibly memorable.

19. What’re you excited about for next year?

There’s a couple! Getting my driving license, graduating high school, and going to college would definitely be at the top of that list! For more material things, I’m looking forward to Hacker’s Memory, the new Persona rhythm games (I’m being very hopeful that they’ll be released in English around the same time of their Japanese versions) and Final Fantasy Dissidia!

20. What’s something you learned this year?

How to drive!

21. What’s something new about your place of residence (room, home, or general location) now vs the start of the year?

My old swingset broke. I still use it as a way to destress (the repetitive motion of swinging, combined with listening to music really clams me down) and there’s no way we can really repair it until it gets warmer... which could be as early as February, or as late as April, considering the weather patterns. Basically, it has to be above freezing to do anything.

22. Favorite place you visited this year?

Boston for college tours! It was a great city, though I could’ve dealt with less stress from trying to figure out where the fuck to go...

23. If you could send a message to yourself back on the first day of the year, what would it be?

It’s hard right now. God do I know how hard it is right now. It’s gonna get harder. You’re going to hate everyone for a while, because no one really helped you the way you needed help, but you’ll make it. I promise you’ll make it.

24. Did you keep any New Year’s Resolutions?

Technically yes, because I didn’t make any. Can’t break any resolutions if you never make ‘em.

25. Did you create any characters (in games, art, or writing) this year? Describe one

Uuuuugh I have a lot that I just make in my head, but because I have the artistic skills of a drunk goldfish I can’t typically draw them, and I’m too nervous to write about them (^^;). Other people can keep asking this one, and I’ll describe a different OC that I have, but only in my head, y’know?

I DID get FFXV Comrades and made an OC! His name is Tonitus, Tony for short. He’s 5′3″ and hails from... Altissia, if I remember correctly. He has about mid-length black hair and bright, that almost Mako-colored blue eyes.

In my weird-ass lore about the guy, he’s a messenger who got amnesia from falling to the surface. He’s loyal to Ramuh and can harness lightning magic easily, and struggles with fire and ice magic. He got the Kingsglaive uniform from Ramuh himself, who sent him down to Eos to assist the humans with the encroaching darkness and rampant daemons and infected wildlife. As he regains his memory, he’s torn with assisting them like a human would or like a pseudo-god, and his own mortality and how he’ll deal with everyone passing long before him, long before the light can be restored, long before the King can ascend.

#Ask meme #End of the Year #Anonymous

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torentialtribute · 5 years

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10 things we learned from the Champions League after Liverpool’s win in Madrid

The Champions League reached its conclusion on Saturday evening when Liverpool lifted their sixth European Cup after a forgettable 2-0 win over Tottenham .

The final in Madrid may not have lived up to expectations, but the competition as a whole provided plenty of drama, intrigue and wonderful stories along the way.

Here, Sportsmail's Rob Draper reflects on what he learned this season, from the resurgence of the Premier League to getting caught up in Messi -mania.

Liverpool lifted the Champions League trophy after beating Tottenham 2-0 on Saturday night

1. TERRIBLE FINALS ARE BACK

Frankly we've been spoiling. Anyone under the age of 20 must be wondering just where that cliché about tight, dull finals originated.

For the last nine years, the Champions League has delivered a succession of humdingers. Personal favorites would be a sublime Barcelona taking apart Manchester United at Wembley in 2010; Atletico so nearly getting across the line against Real Madrid in 2014; Barca, again, extraordinary in 2015; Mandzukic's goal in 2017 and Bale's in 2018; and last year's Real Madrid-Liverpool clash with more plot twists than a Jed Mercurio screenplay.

But there is no hiding from the truth: this was a terrible game of football. The only real mitigating factor was that Spurs played reasonably well and created chances in a 25-minute spell in the second half.

Harry Kane struggled to make an impact as Liverpool squeezed fits Tottenham in Madrid

But take heart: it wasn't the worst ever. Much worse were AC Milan-Juventus (0-0 and 3-2 on pens) in 2003 * and Steaua Bucharest-Barca (0-0 and 2-0 on penalties) in 1986. Yes, you read that right: 2-0 on pens! Barca missed all their penalties. Big football occasions used to be routinely awful. Hopefully this was an aberration.

* A colleague was trying to argue the 2003 final was technically better than last weekend. To which I would say, when you're playing at 10mph, most of us look pretty good, technically.

In fairness, to be absolutely sure it was the worst ever, I'd have to go back and watch it again. Which is something I'm never going to do. Obviously.

2. AND … THE ENGLISH ARE BACK!

Well, the Premier League at least. You can trace the decline of the Premier League from 2011 onwards (Chelsea's win in 2012 was a weird outlier from an aging team that had been much better four years before).

Last season indicated signs of a revival. But the real clincher was watching Barca – especially Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez – struggle with the intensity of Liverpool's pressing in the semi-finals. The uncontested procession towards La Liga title doesn't offer that level of football. And it showed.

Lionel Messi and Barcelona were no match for Liverpool in the second leg of their semi-final

3. AND ENGLISH FANS ARE BACK … IN A GOOD WAY

Take 100,000 English fans, book them in a baking hot European city and just add beer to ensure carnage. That's the rule.

And though I doubt that it was without incident, generally it seems over the weekend in Madrid that, actually, you can turn up, party and not trash a city, throw bicycles in a canal, upturn tables or scrap about who's got the biggest team.

The excellent fan parks help – so hat tip to Madrid authorities – but if Spurs and Liverpool can do it and still be singing together in pubs at 3am, then why can't more clubs?

Liverpool fans sing inside the Wanda Metropolitano shortly before kick-off on Saturday night

4. AND ENGLISH TACTICS ARE BACK (THANKS TO A GERMAN AND ARGENTINE)

English sides dominated Europe from 1977 to 1984, with Liverpool winning it three times, Nottingham Forest twice and Aston Villa once. That's not a coincidence.

Such a run usually occurs when a club, culture or region is tactically better. Being English we prefer to talk in terms of heart and commitment. But in essence, from memory, English teams in that era pressed harder and spooked their opponents with the intensity of their game.

This was a period when Italian teams were still enormously influenced by catenaccio and low-risk football while German clubs were wedded to 3-5-2 and expected time and space.

Nottingham Forest's John Robertson, Ian Bowyer and Kenny Burns celebrate victory in 1979

What happened? English teams were banned for five years after Heysel and by the time they returned 1990, the splendid isolation meant the English game had fallen in love with the long ball, which was easy to beat for most Euro clubs.

But meanwhile, thanks to Marcelo Bielsa and Jurgen Klopp / Ralf Rangnick, Latin and Germanic countries discovered the joy of pressing and intensity without losing their passing skills.

So, in a way, we're back full circle. Though, technically better than ever before (not that you would have noticed on Saturday) and much fitter.

5. WRITE WHAT YOU SAW, NOT WHAT YOU THINK YOU SAW

I'm as guilty as anyone on this. After the Camp Well semi-final, it was all about Messi. Journalists love a narrative arc. Messi is the easiest one in the game. Stuff the team. It makes it all about the individual and that's a much simpler story to write.

"Siri: write me a generic Messi match report." It will certainly include the phrases: "diminutive genius, little Argentine and immortal extra-terrestrial." I know. I've done it.

We all got caught up in the Messi-mania that night but it's not what actually happened. In the second half you could see Barca, just in the safety of their Well Camp home, simply couldn't cope with the pace of the game. Liverpool were significantly better. Still, it's a good writer to take that piece on after a 3-0 defeat.

Messi scored a super free-kick as Liverpool lost 3-0 to Barcelona, despite being the better side

6. PEP STILL HAS ISSUES

A colleague puts Manchester City's elimination down to luck. And it is true they played superbly well in the second leg against Spurs and would ordinarily have won more convincingly.

It's also true that with VAR vs. Liverpool in the second leg last year, they go 2-0 up before half time; without VAR this year, they win 5-3 and go through.

But privately Guardiola has admitted he is getting it wrong in the Champions League. And he's right. THIS DOESN'T MEAN HE'S A TERRIBLE COACH. (Sometimes you need to spell it out for Twitter).

He's super, one of the best, changed the game etc etc. But there is a consistent flaw when he's up against the very best sides.

Since leaving Barcelona, he was eliminated three times in semi-finals with Bayern. In those six games, he conceded 13 goals. At City, he's not got the quarters, and in those ties, he conceded 16 in six games. So, 29 conceded in 12 games. Or almost two-and-a-half a game.

Pep Guardiola reacts after seeing Manchester City knocked out of the Champions League

Just allowing for the fact that by the semi-finals, you're playing the best opposition, that's a lot. If you're conceding 2.5 goals a game, you're unlikely to win anything.

Many of those goals have come in spurts as well (vs Real Madrid 2014, Barca 2015, Liverpool 2018). My premise is that his teams are unsurpassed at steamrollering domestic opposition. But the very best sides can find the flaw in the system. And often do.

7. YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE IS STILL THE BEST FOOTBALL SONG

You can be irritated by Liverpool's 'This means more' campaign and still acknowledge that nothing quite captures the emotion of the game more than 'You' ll Never Walk Alone '.

That unscripted TV clip of Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger looking at the Liverpool fans singing with Mourinho counting the producer not to cut to them, was priceless.

"Mourinho says," This is more beautiful than what we can say, "That's unique, you know," adds Wenger.

Both of them, old softies at heart, deeply in love with fan culture and English football in particular. For a second, you could envisage a teenage Mourinho watching grainy TV pictures or European finals and being captive in a way only a child can be.

Jose Mourinho (left) and Arsene Wenger enjoyed a rendition or 'You'll Never Walk Alone'

ICYMI: One of the iconic moments from last night as Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger are left STUNNED by Liverpool fans 'anthem' You 'll Never Walk Alone' ahead or kick-off.

This is why we love football #beINUCL #UCLFinal pic.twitter.com/oEfufJpAfX

– beIN SPORTS (@ beINSPORTS) June 2, 2019

8. BUT … SORRY CITY AND UNITED FANS. EVERY FAN OF OTHER TEAMS, ACTUALLY. IT REALLY DOES MEAN MORE

I'm not a Liverpool fan. (They robbed my team of the 1976 title and I still bear the scars) But really there is something special about this club and the European Cup, just as there is for Real Madrid and AC Milan.

Forget for a moment the six trophies. In the past 21 competitions, since Manchester United's win in 1999, only Real Madrid (six) and Bayern Munich (five) have been in more finals than Liverpool (four).

Barcelona and United are equal with Liverpool on four. But read the thing: Liverpool hasn't actually been much good about the past 20 years.

They've only participated in 11 of those Champions League campaigns. Meaning, if they qualify to make the final every three years.

Real Madrid, Bayern and Barca have been in 21/21 of those campaigns. United in 19/21. Juventus, on three finals, have also been in 19/21. Manchester City, who have qualified for eight campaigns, haven't got past the semis.

If your history and culture keeps telling you that you're special, that this Cup means more to you than others, that your European nights are better than anything … well, it's obviously a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Steven Gerrard lifts the Champions League trophy after Liverpool's epic comeback in 2005

9. JURGEN KLOPP ISN'T A FRAUD (AND CONTROVERSIALLY, NOR IS MAURICIO POCHETTINO)

Apparently the two Bundesliga titles, won against the odds, and the DFB Cup didn't count. Klopp had lost six consecutive finals.

More importantly: "He'd never won in England!" And, of course, that's the pinnacle of football.

'You might have your glittery Bundesliga shields, but have you ever won the Carling Cup in England,' Juande Ramos taunted at every UEFA coaches' convention, as Jose Mourinho scoffed in the background, while holding up eight fingers to indicate the trophies that really matter to him, the ones he won in England. (I may have made this last anecdote up).

'In all departments of life, including your job, if only the best counts and effort doesn't count then life is s ***. If I'm not as smart as Einstein should I not try just a little bit because I will never be him? ' That's the question True posed prior to beating Manchester United this season, when asked about his trophy count compared to Mourinho's.

Jurgen Klopp lifts his first trophy as Liverpool manager after joining the club in October, 2015

"This season has been a year full of wonderful moments, wonderful moments altogether," he said after the Barca game, before he knew whether he would end the season with a cup or not. "A moment like this is worth more than silverware." And he was right.

Ultimately, you play to win and thus for cups. But as Johan Cruyff used to say, "Who remembers Germany 1974?" (Allright, the Germans do) But finally there is so much more to football and being a good coach that the big shiny thing at the end.

If not, then Ramos, Tony Barton and Roberto Di Matteo are better than Mauricio Pochettino. Which is clearly nonsense.

10. FINALLY … FOOTBALL IS WONDERFUL

That moment: Jordan Henderson clutching his father, Brian both of them sobbing.

You didn't even need to know the back story to be moved. But when you did – Brian having overcome throat cancer – it meant even more.

Add in the fact that Henderson has fought for every grudging ounce or respect in his football life, from Sir Alex Ferguson saying he ran funny to skeptical Liverpool fans.

When he took the captaincy from Steven Gerrard, it seems like an interim phase. Instead he's up there with Emlyn Hughes, Phil Thompson, Graeme Souness and Gerrard. His performance in the second leg against Barca deserves to be mentioned alongside Roy Keane's against Juventus in 1999.

Jordan Henderson got to hug his father Brian in Madrid after he survived throat cancer

Yet there was still more to glean from that picture. Football does so much for parent-child relationships. And that can just be as likely as mother and son and father and daughter. But often it is father and son, given the manner in which the sport has been (wrongly) male dominated.

I've no idea where the Henderson's position in this regard, but often they have issues counting their sons or dads that they really love them. And showing it. To see it demonstrated so viscerally was joyful.

The football, after all, and that big shiny cup, is only a means to an end. It's just a way to hang out together with people. And an expression of our love for team mates or friends, daughters and mothers, son and brothers.

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#10 things we learned from the Champions League after Liverpool’s win in Madrid"

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stone-man-warrior · 5 years

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August 8, 2018: 1:00 pm:

August 7, 2018: 12:57 pm: (Edited for Capitalization: 8/8 12:58 ... StoneMan .Warrior - 2018-08-07T17:04:01-0400 - Updated: 2018-08-08T16:00:14-0400

August 7, 2018: 12:57 pm: (Edited for Capitalization: 8/8 12:58 pm) What the Fuck is this? This is a copy of a paragraph sent to me from the White House Press Department regarding jobs and the economy. As Follows: ========================================================== "Unemployment dipped to 3.9 percent last week—just the eighth time since 1970 it has fallen below 4 percent. (And nearly half of those occasions happened in 2018.)" "Most important is who is benefitting. President Donald J. Trump promised to look out for Americans from every corner of the country, not the well-connected and powerful. He’s delivered. “The least educated American workers, who took the hardest hit in the Great Recession . . . are a striking symbol of a strong economy,” The New York Times reports." ================================================================== (Skip this part and move on to the important reading.) This is the math problem sent to me from the White House today. =========================== "Unemployment dipped to 3.9 percent last week—just the eighth time since 1970 it has fallen below 4 percent. (And nearly half of those occasions happened in 2018.)" =========================== {do the math: Let's see...uhh... ok... "for the 8th time"... in a long time, something happened. Ok, got it. Hmmm... and "nearly half of those times was this year". Ok...got that. Now what? Ohh I see. "OIC?". Nope, that's not it. "OYC?". Nahh. Hmmm ok.. start over. "Oye. Oye Vay?"... nooooo. Ummmm... maybe it means that something happened almost 4 times in a short time, because 8 times divided by two times equals 4 times.... but it says it was "almost one half". So... the answer is almost 4, but not quite. So... in 48 years (2018 minus 1970 equals 48 years... right?) Ok... hmm, in 48 years minus this year equals 47 years, and in this year something happened almost 4 times, but not quite. What was the something that happened... I forgot... let's see... oh! It was Dipped. Dipping happened. That's what happened. Ok, now what. Ummm. It's August. That means this is the 8th month, not quite a whole year yet. Darn. eight twelfths equals doughnuts. That leaves four doughnuts. I am hungry.. break for a minute.. ~!insert Jeopardy Theme Song Here~ Ok.. Back! 8/12 = 3/4 of a year. Terrorists use a 10 month calender, not a twelve month calander... I learned it in elementary Anti-Terrorist school, or had to die trying. Sooo 8/12 is 8 minus 2=6 months. Equals half of a year. um... yeah, now what? Ok ....dipping happened almost 4 times this year, but not quite. That leaves Forty-Seven years that something did not happen... what could it be? Care for a Doughnut? mmmm Doughnuts! Solved it! The answer is that no anti-terrorism happened for 47 years and the year is only half over in terrorism months, so we don't know about the 48th year yet. Hmmm I guess the only thing left to solve the math problem is to find out what the Dogs name is.... But that's easy, there are a lot of Dogs to choose from... go to the pound and pick one... Hmmmm Pound Sterling = Elizabeth ... Pound = hit = thump = Pope Francis, the Dog's name is Francis Ok... The answer is that the Two Dogs, Elizabeth and Francis have been doing Terrorism for 47 years and counting, and no one has ever tried to stop them, Also, Elizabeth is the Top Dog because of the "Dipping", Francis Curtsey's to Elizabeth. ""Bow-Wow-Maneuver-Service. And, they have a Poodle that lives in the White House they call Potus, Potus Poodle's only live to be 4 or 8 years old, so they get new ones from time to time. Ok? Ther ya go. Completely solved over Doughnuts and Coffee in about 30 Minutes, and took a Break. Now... You try!} Elizabeth is an English Bull Dog. Francis is an Afghan. Potus is a French Poodle, The French Poodles are interchangeable, and are always named Potus, and are well Groomed. Afghans are interchangeable and have different names when they change, but are always Afghans, this one is Francis. The Bull Dog lives forever, and is Immortal, at least that is how the math works. It must be that "New Math". They all sleep together on an Oval Area Rug by the Ottoman, and have been laying there for 47 years, at least Elizabeth has, and they are watching black and white re-runs of the Dick-Van-Dyke show. That's the complete answer, it's the same, it's different, it's the same. it's different. it's the same. It's the same as it ever was. Different. It's indifferent. (look it up, it's important) . (Don't feel bad if you are having trouble with this. Some of you could go look at last night's final post for a solution that will work for you, otherwise keep practicing. However, be advised that if you did not go to MK-Ultra School, like I did, then this will be a challenging math problem for you. Ok? The person who wrote this math problem also went to MK-Ultra School and is quite older than I am... been around the sun more times, that's all. Hi! How you doin'? It's been a long, long, long,..............long time.) ==================================================== The following is about the entry above the Math Problem. This says, according to the New York Times, and sent to me from the White House... From the office of Donald Trump, that STUPID AMERICANS WHO GET HIT IN THE HEAD ARE SYMBOLIC OF A SUCCESSFUL AND PROFITABLE ATTACK! And that is how you read terrorist news from Donald Trump at the White House. I cannot deny the truth... Americans are stupid. We keep getting hit in the head, while collecting a few nuts that are thrown at us, meanwhile, the Vatican is not just taking the trees that the nuts come from, but the entire forest of trees... the Pope is not satisfied with owning the forest so he takes the land that the forest is on, and all of the seeds for all of the trees of all of the nuts also. The Pope tosses nuts around like feeding squirrels in the park. The National Security Administration, and the Department of Homeland Security are opposing forces. When one team gains, the other team throws some nuts and the squirrels chase after the nuts that are thrown, sometimes it's a fumble, sometimes it's a pass, sometimes it's a first down, sometimes it's squeeze play, or hail-marry, or off-sides, a penalty, a flag, a fucking pat on the back from one football playing squirrel agent faggot to another one... But the pope is playing craps you assholes. Not squirrel football. The Pope likes Seven's and Elevens on the First Throw of the Die. And The Queen is playing Chess. She likes strong Castles, Horseman with Swords, Wizards with Pointy Hats, and a lot of disposable Pawns. Vladimir Putin is the only person on Earth that knows what the fuck is going on. He tried to tell the Americans what the fuck is going on... he gave the squirrels a real football. Look at it. Kick it around for a while. Maybe you could get some of your favorite sports stars to put a GODDAMN autograph on it. Or Rock Stars. Or Movie Stars. Maybe then you could see that the thing is made of super tiny Pentagons. It really was a gift you know. I mean, how can you possibly explain to POTUS that his house is dirty, and the stink of it is getting into your house, without pissing him off or hurting his golden feelings? And when his ego is like a hurricane in a factory that makes golden box cutters in a cattle farm where the pooper scooper is broken? You give the POTUS a clue. That's what you do. Subtle, easy to understand, non offensive and in good spirit, with good intentions in mind. To inform, without prejudice. But with the teeth of an ultimatum, because that is what is required to preserve peace in a proactive kind of way... on Earth. American Government does not understand proactive subtleties, so they popped the soccer/football gift newspaper billboard sign advertising secret message that was provided and are still trying to figure out why there are Turnberries printed on the ball. Those red berries... yeah, those are Turn-Berries... Assholes. After that, all of the Agents go to Church to blow the Pope. The ball is flat. And they are Jonseing for more nuts. And that is how it is done... Asshole Agents. Incoming intercontinental ballistic missiles fitted with Smellery Clinton's Uranium powered nuclear War Heads will turn the squirrel football game into a soap opera... "Like Sands Through The Hour Glass, These Are The Days Of Our Lives". the football field will be turned into the inside of an hour glass with nothing but tiny particles of sand spilling down the enormous hole where the Pentagon used to be. All because the agents trusted, and were fooled, paid, drugged, by the Movie Stars and Rock Stars that lined up outside of Langley Virginia to sign the agents hats, and offer some Schwagg. Besides all of that, the Chinese people have known what is going on and have prepared themselves for the Big Bang. Those guys set up manufacturing. They did that while Americans were busy flipping Cheese Burgers under Bush and Obama per the Plan of Reagan under the Pope. The Chinese people get a lot of grief associated with the idea that they sell plagiarized goods of American products. It's another clue that the Stupid American Anti-Terrorist agents could not figure out. "Plague-in-your-eyes". They think differently, their language works differently, they tried to convey the message and translate it into American English the best way they are able to. If you look at the Chinese people some more, you will find that the clues are where you find them, but only if you look. They don't want to blow up. So, they see something, then say something. You idiot. When the big Bang Bang happens because Trump is a Bonehead terrorist golden bastard, China is ready. T,hey won't have to worry about knock-off merchandise problems because they will be making the original products when the original American factories get blown up. All they will have to worry about is if Mexico is making knock offs of the Chinese copies of the products that the people in Europe will be buying. I have a feeling that John Bolton is advising Donald Trump to Bomb Syria again... as i write this. Why?

Shared with: Public

+1'd by: Jerry Burkhart, Linda Vanmeter, Duccini's Pizza Delivery Near Arlington, VA

StoneMan .Warrior - 2018-08-07T18:11:14-0400

August 7, 2018: Tuesday: 3:10 pm: Cart Drivers Calling from American Medical Response again. This-Just-in.

StoneMan .Warrior - 2018-08-07T18:49:41-0400 - Updated: 2018-08-07T18:51:41-0400

August 7. 2018: Tuesday Afternoon: 3:45 pm: Once in a Lifetime From the Album: Talking Heads And you may find yourself Living in a shotgun shack And you may find yourself In another part of the world And you may find yourself Behind the wheel of a large automobile And you may find yourself in a beautiful house With a beautiful wife And you may ask yourself, well How did I get here? Letting the days go by, let the water hold me down Letting the days go by, water flowing underground Into the blue again after the money's gone Once in a lifetime, water flowing underground And you may ask yourself How do I work this? And you may ask yourself Where is that large automobile? And you may tell yourself This is not my beautiful house! And you may tell yourself This is not my beautiful wife! Letting the days go by, let the water hold me down Letting the days go by, water flowing underground Into the blue again after the money's gone Once in a lifetime, water flowing underground Same as it ever was Same as it ever was Same as it ever was Same as it ever was Same as it ever was Same as it ever was Same as it ever was Same as it ever was Water dissolving and water removing There is water at the bottom of the ocean Under the water, carry the water Remove the water at the bottom of the ocean! Letting the days go by, let the water hold me down Letting the days go by, water flowing underground Into the blue again in the silent water Under the rocks, and stones there is water underground Letting the days go by, let the water hold me down Letting the days go by, water flowing underground Into the blue again after the money's gone Once in a lifetime, water flowing underground And you may ask yourself What is that beautiful house? And you may ask yourself Where does that highway go to? And you may ask yourself Am I right? Am I wrong? And you may say yourself, "My God! What have I done?" Letting the days go by, let the water hold me down Letting the days go by, water flowing underground Into the blue again in to the silent water Under the rocks and stones, there is water underground Letting the days go by, let the water hold me down Letting the days go by, water flowing underground Into the blue again after the money's gone Once in a lifetime, water flowing underground Same as it ever was Same as it ever was Same as it ever was Look where my hand was Time isn't holding up Time isn't after us Same as it ever was Same as it ever was Same as it ever was Same as it ever was Same as it ever was Same as it ever was Same as it ever was Same as it ever was Same as it ever was Letting the days go by (same as it ever was) Letting the days go by (same as it ever was) Once in a lifetime Letting the days go by Letting the days go by Songwriters: Brian Eno / Christopher Frantz / David Byrne / Jerry Harrison / Tina Weymouth Once in a Lifetime lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc, Universal Music Publishing Group https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IsSpAOD6K8

StoneMan .Warrior - 2018-08-07T18:59:13-0400

Tuesday Afternoon: 3:52pm (Ford Thunderbird) Taking Heads Psycho Killer Bootleg Version I have no words for this.

StoneMan .Warrior - 2018-08-07T19:37:40-0400 - Updated: 2018-08-07T19:41:58-0400

August 7, 2018: 4:36 pm: Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, wrote the math problem. She has a Bastard Son who's name is Clint Whitney. Clint Whitney's nick-name is Clump Lumpy. I think that is the end of the math problem.

StoneMan .Warrior - 2018-08-07T19:50:26-0400

Tuesday Afternoon: Elizabeth: Please remove your bloody rabbit from my White House. Regards,

StoneMan

StoneMan .Warrior - 2018-08-07T20:11:57-0400

Tuesday Afternoon: "With two squirrels and an owl, I could rule the world." Spoken by a frightened King of some faraway land who was conquered by his own imagination. Owl - Wikipedia

StoneMan .Warrior - 2018-08-07T20:24:38-0400 - Updated: 2018-08-07T20:26:20-0400

Tuesday Afternoon: Pinball Wizard The Who Ever since I was a young boy I've played the silver ball From Soho down to Brighton I must have played them all But I ain't seen nothing like him In any amusement hall That deaf dumb and blind kid Sure plays a mean pin ball! He stands like a statue, Becomes part of the machine Feeling all the bumpers Always playing clean He plays by intuition, The digit counters fall That deaf dumb and blind kid Sure plays a mean pin ball! He's a pin ball wizard There has got to be a twist A pin ball wizard, S'got such a supple wrist How do you think he does it? I don't know! What makes him so good? He ain't got no distractions Can't hear those buzzers and bells Don't see lights a flashin' Plays by sense of smell Always gets a replay Never seen him fall That deaf dumb and blind kid Sure plays a mean pin ball I thought I was The Bally table king But I just handed My pin ball crown to him Even on my favorite table He can beat my best His disciples lead him in And he just does the rest He's got crazy flipper fingers Never seen him fall That deaf dumb and blind kind Sure plays a mean pin ball! Songwriters: Peter Townshend Pinball Wizard lyrics © Spirit Music Group ============================================== "Pinball Wizard" Pinball Wizard Germany Single by The Who from the album Tommy B-side "Dogs (Part Two)" Released 7 March 1969 Format 7-inch single Recorded 7 February 1969 Studio Morgan, Willesden, London Genre Hard rock[1] power pop[2] Length 2:57 Label Track Songwriter(s) Pete Townshend Producer(s) Kit Lambert The Who singles chronology "Magic Bus" (1968) "Pinball Wizard" (1969) "I'm Free" (1969) Audio sample MENU0:00 filehelp https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msZOSziOeCs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xt2bHUDsPMU File:Pinball Wizard Germany PS.jpg - Wikipedia

StoneMan .Warrior - 2018-08-07T20:34:47-0400

Check-Mate

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eddygould · 6 years

Photo

An American parody act No Man’s Armband has made a comedy rock opera that combines many genres, from garage rock, metalcore, and indie rock to hip-hop. At the center of the story is a local band from Montana which has been trying to find its style and become popular for several years. Overcoming a bunch of problems and difficulties, they master the modern music industry and learn the lifestyle of the new rock'n'rollers. Total length: [1:21:04]

Tracklist:

1) The Stoics [4:19] The album begins with a recording of a nameless band from Montana in a nameless garage. It turns out that their independent project is called The Stoics, and they are already finished recording their debut album with the same name which cost exactly $201. The Stoics is represented by: Nick Oldman, the "heart" of the band, the leader, a vocalist and a guitarist, Eric Ainsworth, the "body", a bassist, Eugene Cahill, the "brain", a drummer, and Joe Cowski, "the soul" of the band, the second vocalist, guitarist, and also a sound engineer.

2) Joe's Montage [5:02] After hours of mastering, Joe, in anticipation of success, uploads the album to the GroupRant website. That night, he sees a dream about how the group is assembling a huge stadium with “hundreds of thousands of people”, and the next evening he drinks in a bar with Iggy Pop and then climbs a mountain of money. He is awakened by his father who is displeased that Joe has spent the whole night at the computer and slept until dinner again. After listening to another lecture that he needs to find a job, Joe says that soon he and his band will become famous and go on their first tour.

3) Get Away [3:20] A week later, the band meets in its "headquarters", the Nick's house. The musicians see that their album is at the very bottom of the GroupRant rating, and they don’t have any fans. Looking at the charts of the modern independent albums, they understand that they missed the genre. The most popular trend at the moment is metalcore. Eugene sees such bands and albums as "All Longboards Go To Heaven — Revolutionary", "DangeRR — Kill Them All" and "Doctor Mobster — Heart Generator" on the top of the rating. Eric invents the name of the new band: Trestle Kids. On the same day, they decide to start work on a new metalcore project.

4) A Ballad of Metalcore [8:28] 8 months from the life of Trestle Kids. Endless recordings of the album in Nick's garage, attempts to promote their project on the Internet and among friends, lectures from Joe's father, and quarreling with parents. The band nearly gets thrown out of the college, killing all the strength on the new album, but in the end they are convinced that they have lost their time again. Now girl-oriented, "sweet" pop-rock is in the trends. Nick wonders what a terrible world they live in, if fashion changes not by years but by months. Frustrated and oppressed, they are running out of patience, but decide to work on the next project.

5) Turn On The Lights [2:23] The band changes its image and takes the name Snorlings. In a couple of weeks they record the songs and reduce the sound, after which Joe presses the sacramental "upload" button on GroupRant.

6) You Are Trendy Now [1:50] New listeners are appearing, and such soft rock begins to appeal to the audience. Eugene notes that too many teenage girls have subscribed to the band’s page.

7) Eclat Hills, Idaho [5:40] Brandon Brods, a Nick's friend from Idaho, sees potential in the new project of the band, so he invites them to a mini-gig in his hometown Eclat Hills. Brandon says that for a humble amount of money, he would give them a platform for a performance: his father’s bar, the "Young Rhino". In this case, the friends will pay for a trip to the neighboring state, but Brandon’s friends will help them in transportation, and if the concert is successful, Snorlings will receive a double fee. Eric is skeptical of this venture, complaining that the main visitors to these bars are "unbalanced young people who live in parties" and turns out to be right. The band is met by a dirty bar and not the most pleasant-looking public who doesn’t like the performance at all. In addition, Joe breaks a string on his guitar. The concert fails, and the band is forced to return home in disgrace. Brandon refuses to pay out any money, and the friends, along with a bunch of expensive equipment, spend the night in a motel.

8) Try. Fail. Repeat [1:11] The band members are depressed. They sit in a cafe in Eclat Hills and reflect on what happened last night, not understanding what they are doing wrong. However, Eric notes the pattern: the less effort they make to record an album, the more listeners enjoy it. Nick suggests that they have not yet found their style, as well as their true listener. Eugene says he has heard from a friend that the "guitar" genres are dead, and hip-hop is the genre of the day. No one believes his words, but everybody admits that they need a little rest from music.

9) Are We Gonna Do It? [2:04] Nick gathers everyone at his parents' house. He is tired that their music doesn't find a response among the audience, so the frontman sets an ultimatum: either go back to basics and play obscure and pretentious rock, or try themselves in contrast and popular hip-hop, or break up. According to his theory, if they record an album in a couple of days and specifically make it terrible, it will blow up the charts. Joe perceives the idea with hostility, but generally agrees just to support friends. The idea is seems curious to the others.

10) Weak Vibes [4:37] By the beginning of the recording of the new album, the band's whole enthusiasm is drying up: gathering at Joe's house, the musicians pay more time to each other than to the album. They remember the old days, share stories, order pizza, have fun, and just fool around, making the album "as bad as possible", calling their new project Lil Doodoos. At this point, they realize that they have been putting some hypothetical commercial success above friendship and true creativity. Overnight, the band records an ironic hip-hop album. Having collected a bunch of samples from old and obscure music, as well as their own tracks, they don't even count on any success: there is nothing to lose anyway, but there will always be friendship. In the morning, drunk Joe uploads the album on GroupRant.

11) Kiwi Mustard [6:14] The next day, the page on GroupRant is torn from ecstatic reviews and ratings, and the messengers of the band members are filled with messages and endless calls. Their album takes off. In the middle of the song there are the voices of the managers of several recording studios: Grillin, Caveman Rocks, ERPLC, and Swell Records, each of which "lures" the band to them. Musicians don't believe their eyes, but Eric is fully convinced of his theory. After thinking much, the group decides to pursue a career and stops at Grillin, because "they have a cool name". However, Joe is sad, but he doesn't give a look, so as not to upset his friends.

12) #GOT2GOT3 [2:00] The band is watching the rise of its popularity and on the wave of the hype immediately writes another track in which they declare themselves to the world. Subsequently, friends come to the conclusion that they will have to quit college for the sake of a musical career.

13) The Grand Tour [5:18] Grillin invites the band to Florida, the "new Hollywood of music industry". In a week, they have to tour the entire state, from Jacksonville to Miami, and give a series of concerts, the final of which will take place in the city of Flamenco. They also decide to record a mixtape. None of them know what this means: "probably, this is a mini-album".

14) All Of You Belong To Us [2:11] The first concerts are paying off. Getting out of a quiet town, Lil Doodoos get acquainted with a rich southern life: constant parties, fun, and a lot of drugs. Eric quickly adapts to this kind of life, which is worrying the rest. Nick is completely keen on the process and expresses the opinion that this is really the new rock'n'roll. Eugene realizes that he starts to cool down, and Joe is increasingly moving away from his best friends, saying openly that rock in a rap environment is a kind of cargo cult, and generally a parasitism on the classics.

15) American Dream Nowadays [5:49] Eric, as usual, rests at the hotel, of course with drugs. In the hallucinations he observes a fabulous world where France and Spain with alien fractal technologies and lava lamps have captured all the North American colonies and divided the continent into two parts, after which they proclaimed themselves an earthly empire. The new world order was headed by Shiva, Ra, and the Naked Emperor Z. Eric enters the magnificent palace of glowing bricks and climbs the high stairs to the balcony where he meets the world rulers who present him a personal plane and give a couple of tips about their sound. For example, they ask to add more "buzzing" and "alien" beats. Suddenly, the world around Eric dissolves, and he returns to his usual environment, without hearing the last piece of advice. Meanwhile, Eugene and Joe, worried about their friend’s condition, decide to start fighting his addiction.

16) Unfair Posture [4:20] The gig of the band almost falls apart: SERT (Society of Equality, Rap and Teepees) blame Lil Doodoos for the fact that there are no women among the performers. The band begins to seriously think about attracting new people, but Nick decides to disregard it and, since they have become mega-stars, just write a track that makes fun of this society. A track named "A Message" appears on the mixtape.

17) Do We Deserve This [3:16] Eric dies from an overdose in a hotel room, and the mood of the whole album changes, as well does the genre, from comedy rock to dark folk rock. Friends mourn Eric and, looking back, realize that everything is over.

18) Mixxtape [3:58] The band refuses to record the mixtape, and the album is being completed in a hurry by Nick. Nevertheless, the published news about Eric's death warm up the interest of the audience, and all attention is riveted to Lil Doodoos and their new album. Starting from this track, the cheers of the critics will periodically appear in the songs: "Wonderful! Truly iconic!", "They will change this world, I swear", "Sincerely incredible", "Better than the first one", "Ten out of ten!", and others.

19) Apocalypse [6:16] After the final perfomance in Flamenco, friends announce the disbandment of the band. The label offers a replacement in the form of a rapper Yun RelZa, but the musicians refuse. After a series of trials, the band members manage to win against the label, and Lil Doodoos officially ceases to exist. Nick continues his solo work in the genre of experimental hip-hop under the pseudonym $niKKie, Eugene decides to return to college, and Joe moves away from the public, becoming an artist. The friendship comes to a logical conclusion. Meanwhile, many “professional” bloggers and critics call the album an epoch-making masterpiece, and in an instant it reaches platinum status in the USA. The band itself is unconditionally recorded in the annals of history.

20) Curtains [1:48] The album ends with a short guitar solo and the words: "Who knew that such a story would happen to a bunch of usual guys from Montana?"

Full double cover

#fictional bands #album covers #comedy rock #garage rock #metalcore #indie rock #hip-hop #design art

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